Fr. Victor (Edmund) Balcerak, OFM Conv., son of John of Maria (Dondajewska) Balcerak, and brother of Fr. Daniel (+July 24, 1955) and Fr. Aloysius, was born on May 21, 1903, in Buffalo, NY. The elementary education of Fr. Victor was at the Parish School of Corpus Christ, Buffalo, and his secondary training was at Canisius High School, Buffalo. Brought up in a religious environment at home and in the parish, Fr. Victor expressed his intention of studying to be a Convnentual Franciscan. Accepted, he was sent to Syracuse, NY and began his initial training in the Novitiate of the Immaculate Conception Province, professing his simple vows on August 24, 1919. His philosophical and theological studies were imparted to him at the Seraphic College of St. Bonaventure in Rome, Italy and ordained to the priesthood on September 19, 1925. After receiving his doctorate in Sacred Theology, he returned to the United States. His Franciscan ministry embraced the formation and parochial apostolates. In the beginning of his ministry, he was assigned as an associate at Sacred Heart Church, Danbury, CT and later at St. Stanislaus, Bishop-Martyr, Church, Chicopee, MA. When the doors of St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY opened for the first time, Fr. Victor's name appears as one of the 12 teachers on the school faculty. He taught Latin II and III and became Director of Music and Athletics. In September of 1948 Fr. Victor was appointed pastor of St. Hedwig Church, Houseville, NY. In 1951 new stained glass windows were added, and the following year further remodeling took place. In 1960 Fr. Victor was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Danbury, CT. After two months, Fr. Victor died of a heart attack on October 5, 1960, in the 58th of his age, 42nd of his religious profession and 36th of his priesthood. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated first at Sacred Heart Church, Danbury, CT, and then at Corpus Christi Church, Buffalo, NY. The mortal remains were laid to rest in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo, NY, on October 11, 1960 (Cemetery #2, "New Cemetery, "Circle #3, Line 1, Grave 21).