Reverend James Speck

Rev. James A. Speck, 89, a priest of the Diocese of Winona for nearly 60 years, died Wednesday, December 9.James Andrew Speck was born in Winona on May 31, 1920, to William and Augusta (Cisewski) Speck. He attended Crosier Seminary Preparatory School in Onamia, Minn. To prepare for priesthood, he studied Philosophy at St. John's Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, and undertook Theological Studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado.He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Winona by Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on June 4, 1950.Throughout his years of active priesthood, Father Speck served at the following parishes: St. Adrian, Adrian; St. John the Evangelist, Rochester; chaplain of St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester; St. Lawrence, Fountain; St. Kilian, Wykoff; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Harmony; Holy Family, East Chain; St. Paul, Minnesota City; St. Anthony, Altura; St. Aloysius, Elba; St. Agnes, Kellogg; St. Francis de Sales, Claremont; St. Vincent de Paul, West Concord; and St. Patrick, Brownsville.He was granted the status of Senior Priest and retired to Winona in 1989.He was a member of the Elks Club in Goodview. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Monsignor Henry Speck, Edward Speck, William Speck and Leonard Speck.