Lazar, Rev. Francis M. Obituary

Lazar, Rev. Francis M. attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Lazar, Rev. Francis M..

Graduation Year	Class of 1952
Date of Passing	Dec 01, 2007
About	Reverend Francis M. Lazar, age 73, of Highland, IN, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2007, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. Father Lazar was born in 1934 in Gary, IN, and was the fifth of six sons born to Anthony and Mary Lazar. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and brothers: Anthony Lazar, Andrew Lazar, John Lazar, Alfred Lazar and Paul Lazar. He is survived by his sister-in-law Mary E. (Anthony) Lazar of Crown Point, IN and Patricia (Alfred) Lazar of Palos Verde Estates, CA and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was lovingly referred to by family as Uncle Frank. Growing up in Gary, Father Lazar attended St. Casimir and Holy Angels Catholic Churches. As a youth, he attended Horace Mann and Bishop Noll High Schools, and graduated from Wawasee Preparatory School in Syracuse, IN. He attended the Atheneaum of Ohio, The Catholic University of America and the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota, studying Catholic Social Action, Counseling and Communication. He was ordained into the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Gary by Bishop Andrew T. Grutka in 1960, at Holy Angels Cathedral. He served as an Associate Pastor at Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, IN from 1960-1962, and at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Highland, IN from 1962-1967. He served as Director of the Diocesan Migrant Workers Ministry from 1962-1975, the Alerding Settlement House of Gary from 1967-1970, and the Lake County Migrant Council from 1968-1973. In 1968, he became the Pastor of St. Anthony/St. Emerick Catholic Church in Gary, where he served until 1970. In 1970, he became the Pastor of St. James the Less Catholic Church in Highland, IN, and served in the parish until 2005. He retired from full-time ministry upon his 45th anniversary as a priest in 2005, but remained an active Senior Priest in the Diocese. Father Lazar was the Chaplain for the Town of Highland Police and Fire Departments. He was the Police Chaplain for the Town of Griffith Police Department and the City of Gary Police Department from 1967-1970. He was also the Departmental Chaplain head for the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Father Lazar was an active member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, the Indiana State Police Chaplains Association, and the State of Indiana Fraternal Order of Police. He was the Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Marquette Council of Griffith. He served as a Board Member of the St. Jude House and the St. James Family Help Services. He was also a member of the Highland Rotary Club. Father Lazar lived his life in Christian service to others. He was well loved by his family, his brother priests and his community. His ecumenical spirit will be greatly missed.