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msgr. paulin dobkowski dies may 12

Msgr. Paulin J. Dobkowski died May 12 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He was 82 years old.

Known to many clergy, friends and former parishioners as an outgoing, gregarious man, Msgr. Dobkowski was known to give people small gifts when he met them or saw them.

Born in East St. Louis to Telesfor and Cunegunda Kurzeja Dobkowski, he went to St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville and later to St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill.

Msgr. Dobkowski was ordained a priest May 5, 1954 by Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste.

He served as an associate pastor at St. Dominic in Breese, St. Adalbert in East St. Louis and St. John’s Orphanage in Shiloh. He also taught at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese while he was an associate there.
His heritage was Polish, and Msgr. Dobkowski took that seriously. He spoke Polish and served as pastor at a number of diocesan parishes where many parishioners, also of Polish heritage, appreciated his Polish roots.
He served as pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Posen, St. Charles Borromeo in DuBois, St. Joseph in Benton, St. Mary Magdalen in Todd’s Mill, St. Michael in Radom, Immaculate Conception in Tamaroa and St. Paul in Johnston City.

He retired to the Hincke-Sense Home for retired priests in 1998.

He was named a monsignor in 1976.

Msgr. Dobkowski was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters-in-law: Alphonse and Betty Dobkowski; Boniface “Benny” Dobkowski, Roman “Babe”& Bernice Dobkowski and Mildred Dobkowski. Msgr. Dobkowski is survived by his brother Theodore “Ted” Dobkowski of Belleville; nephew, nieces, cousin and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 16 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Belleville.

Interment was in St. Adalbert’s Catholic Cemetery in Fairview Heights.