Ipswich native and son of Sacred Heart (Polish) Parish, Father John T. Swencki died at Mary Immaculate Health Care, Lawrence, on Aug. 22, 2026. Born on Dec. 20, 1950, he was a son of the children of the late John and Stella (Iwuc) Swencki. He was raised in Ipswich and attended Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, before transferring to St. John Seminary, completing his seminary formation as a candidate for the Archdiocese of Boston.

Humberto Cardinal Medeiros ordained him to the priesthood at St. John Seminary on May 5, 1979. His first assignment was a brief one as an associate at St. Michael (Polish) Parish, Lynn. In September 1979, he was appointed an associate at St. Eulalia Parish in Winchester; this decade-long assignment would be the longest of his active priestly ministry.

From June 1989 until his retirement in September 2020, he served as a parochial vicar, or an administrator, or rector, or pastor at the following parishes: St. Mary, Foxborough; St. Mary of the Annunciation, Melrose; St. Stanislaus (French), Ipswich; St. James, Stoughton; St. Ann, West Newbury; Holy Ghost, Whitman; St. Andrew, Billerica; Sacred Heart, Middleborough; St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Acton; St. Isidore, Stow; St. Francis of Assisi, Medford; St. Joseph, Medford; and St. Anselm, Sudbury.

He was also chaplain at Lahey Clinic, Burlington, and in residence at St. Malachy, Burlington; and was subsequently in residence at St. Hedwig (Polish) Parish, Cambridge; and St. Peter Parish, Cambridge. He served as a member of the Emergency Response Group.

Following his 2020 senior priest status, he initially lived at his own residence. With health declining, he entered Regina Cleri Residence, Boston. With health continuing to decline and needing additional care, he recently moved to Mary Immaculate in Lawrence.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Janet (Swencki) Poirier.

Father Swencki's funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 28 at St. Eulalia Church, Winchester. Private committal followed the funeral Mass.