A ‘Kind and Compassionate’ Teacher, Youth Minister, Passed into Eternal Life
Brother Donald Sukanek, S.C., a Brother of the Sacred Heart for 50 years, who spent most of his ministry at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, died on Nov. 3. He was 69.
Brother Donald was born on Dec. 5, 1950 in Flushing, New York.
He entered the formation program for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart as a pre-novice on Sept. 6, 1968 at Msgr. McClancy Memorial H.S., East Elmhurst. He became a novice on Aug. 14, 1969 at Coindre Hall in Huntington, New York, and professed his first vows back at Msgr. McClancy H.S. on Aug. 15, 1970. The Brothers’ chapel at McClancy was also the site of his final vows on Aug. 14, 1976, and there was a great celebration in that very place when Brother Donald marked the 50th anniversary of his first profession just a few weeks ago.
During his ministry, Brother Donald served as an English and religion teacher, guidance counselor, youth minister, and campus minister in several of the Brothers’ schools. He also served as Director of Postulants, Vocation Director, Master of Novices, local Religious Superior, Provincial Councilor and Provincial in the New York Province and, more recently, as Provincial Councilor in the Province of the United States.
“Brother Donald was a kind and compassionate man who took the call to live the life of Jesus, meek and humble of heart, to his own heart! He will be sorely missed,” said Provincial Brother Ronald Hingle in his statement.
Due to COVID-19, Brother Donald’s cremated remains were buried in the Brothers’ cemetery at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, NJ, during a private service.
Sister Loretta Wundrok, G.N.S.H., a member of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart for 67 years, died Nov. 4. She was 84.
Sister Loretta was born on Jan. 25, 1936, in New York, NY. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament School, Jackson Heights, and St. Michael’s High School in New York City. She entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in 1953.
Sister Loretta earned a BS degree in Elementary Education from D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, and an MA in Education from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY.
A lifelong educator, she served as teacher, principal and school librarian during her years of active ministry. For 41 years Sister Loretta was assigned to various locations in her home state. She served 20 years at St. Mary’s in Potsdam where she was principal for 19 of those years. Her service in Rockville Centre included teaching at St. Peter of Alcantara, Port Washington and St. Catherine of Siena, St. Albans. Other teaching assignments in New York State included Buffalo, Jackson Heights and Corona. She also taught in Atlanta, GA and King of Prussia, PA.
From 2007-2011, Sister Loretta volunteered in ministry to the elderly homebound in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. After retiring to the Motherhouse, she continued to engage in intracommunity service until moving to Holy Redeemer Lafayette in 2016.
A viewing was held on Nov. 10 in Maternity B.V.M. Church, Philadelphia, followed by a Mass of Christian burial on Nov. 11.
Mrs. Jacqueline Seaman Patalano, a parishioner of Holy Family Church, Fresh Meadows, died on Nov. 2.
Mrs. Seaman, the niece of the late Sister Patricia Seaman, C.S.J., attended St. Benedict Joseph Labre until 1992, when the family moved to the parish of Holy Family in Fresh Meadows.
“My mom devoted her time to helping others. Her smile and radiant presence will shine brightly in heaven now,” said her daugther Jennifer McComiskey, teacher at Holy Family Catholic Academy.
Mrs. Seaman is survived by her daugther Jennifer and granddaughter Julia.