Historical Summer 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Monsignor Salvatore Polizzi, the longtime beloved and formidable pastor of St. Roch parish passed away on April 24th at the Mother of Good Counsel Home. One of 11 children of Sicilian immigrants, he went to St. Louis Preparatory Seminary and Kenrick Seminary and was ordained in 1956.
He also earned a master’s degree in urban planning from St. Louis University and was the first priest to receive the school’s alumni merit award. Msgr. Polizzi was assigned to St. Roch Church in 1981 after serving at St. Ambrose and St. Catherine parishes.
He remained pastor at St. Roch until his death at the age of 92.
He was active in community revitalization efforts and was known to help parishioners through difficult situations by paying mortgages and offering scholarships to St. Roch School. Msgr. was often quoted as saying that no child would be turned away from St. Roch due to inability to pay.
He was a founding member of Operation Food Search and was a former member of the boards of the city Land Reutilization Authority and the old St. Louis Regional Medical Center.
He will be greatly missed by his community. Jamie Kenyon, a resident of 59XX DeGiverville graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May with a bachelor’s degree in sustainability from University College. Jamie, who has worked for Metro for over two decades, plans to use his degree to advocate for mass transit. Maddy Boxdorfer of the 6100 block of Kingsbury graduated from Nerinx Hall High School and plans to attend St. Louis University School of Nursing in the fall. Lily Granneman of the 6000 block of McPherson Graduated from St. Roch School and plans to attend St. Joe’s Academy in the fall. Colton Tiede, of the 6100 block of Kingsbury graduated from Metro Academic and Classical High School with an international Baccaluareate.
He will attend McGill University in Montreal, Canada this fall. Cal Kreuger from the 6100 block of McPherson graduated from St. Louis University High School and will be attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA in the fall. Beth Bender of the 6000 block of Kingsbury retired after more than 25 years in the St. Louis School system. Beth’s most recent position was as the Associate Superintendent of College and Career Readiness. Maris Ebeling of Parkview graduated from the University of Missouri with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
She is currently employed as a physical therapist with RPI therapy services. Gertie McGroarty was the recipient of the Principal’s Award for the Seventh Grade at Visitation Academy in her first year attending the school.
The award is selected by the middle and upper school principals and given to a young woman who demonstrates a consistent dedication to the community, to the students, faculty, administration, and the sisters. Patrick McGroarty and Will Kreuter, both St. Roch class of 2021 and St. Louis University High School class of 2025 were awarded the Fr. Martin Hagar Award at the SLUH end of year awards ceremony.
The award recognizes the love of the school, generosity in giving of self, and joy in coming to school every day. Do you have news to share?
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Original photograph caption
Monsignor Salvatore Polizzi.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2023.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Kreuter prose versus Krueter final photograph caption retained. Cal Kreuger original spelling not normalized.
Original source: SD_Times2023_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
