Fr. Stanley M. Surman, 93 years old, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe, Michigan. He was born on January 23, 1931 to the late Walter and Clara Surman in Krakow Poland. He is also preceded in death by his brother Ted.

Fr. Stanley attended the University of Krakow and obtained a masters' degree in philosophy and theology. He continued his graduate studies in Jagielloniski Poland. He studied under Karol Wojtyla, also known as Pope John Paul II, where he was ordained a priest on June 26, 1956.

Fr. Stanley came to Michigan in the early 1960's assigned to Holy Rosary Church in Bay City and eventually became pastor of St. Mary's of Czestochowa Catholic church in Kinde. Following his serving at St. Mary's, he was pastor at St. Mary's in Parisville, Holy Family in  Sebewaing and St. Joseph in Sandusky. He assumed senior priest status in 1999. He was also chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Bad Axe, Michigan.

Fr. Surman was one of the best known and most loved Catholic priests in the thumb area. While in Kinde, he inaugurated the annual Polonian Bean Festival. He led the St. Mary's congregation in Parisville in rebuilding its fire gutted church which provided the inspiration in writing of the book "Parisville Poles" in 1978.

In 1981, he was one in the class of 22 priests invited to celebrate their 25th year anniversary of the priesthood in Rome with Pope John Paul II. He felt very honored and never dreamed this would happen.

Fr. Surman spoke 5 languages including Polish, German, Russian, English and Ukranian. While in Parisville, he taught Polish classes to the students at the school.

Fr. Surman was loved by many. He never said "no" to helping someone out. He was always available to people when they needed someone to listen, and he visited the sick without hesitation and at any time of the day or evening.

Mass of Christian burial for Fr. Surman will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at St. Mary's of Czestochowa Catholic church, 1709 Moeller Rd. Kinde, Michigan 48445, at 11:00 AM.  Bishop Robert Gruss will preside the funeral Mass, and Fr. Craig Carolan will be the homilist. Priests of the Diocese of Saginaw will be present at the funeral.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 4-8 PM at St. Mary's of Czestochowa Catholic church in Kinde, and also from 10:00 until the time of service on Friday.

Rosary will be at 6:30 PM Thursday, by the Knights of Columbus, and 7:00 prayer vigil by Fr. Craig Carolan.

A special thank you to the staff at Courtney Manor for the care, compassion and empathy you gave him for the past 8 years. You all were a blessing to him.

Condolences may be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com