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Rev. John J. Peck, O.S.A. (1933 - 1988)

Rev. John J. Peck, O.S.A. entered eternal life June 27, 1988.

John Joseph Peck was born March 20, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Merlin Floyd and Margaret (Gruskiericz) Peck. He was Baptized april 2, 1933 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation October 14, 1943 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Chicago.

He is a 1947 graduate of St. Rita Catholic Elementary School, Chicago, and a 1951 graduate of St. Rita High School, Chicago. He did post-graduate studies in 1951 and 1952 at St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan.

John was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1952. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1953 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1956.

He earned in 1957 a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. until 1961. He was ordained a Priest June 8, 1960.

Father Peck in 1961 earned an M.A. in Religion from Villanova University, Villanova. DePaul University, Chicago, awarded him an M.Ed. in 1968.

In 1961 he was assigned to his alma mater, St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as Teacher and Vice-Principal for Activities. In 1966 he was one of the founders of Camp Villanova, a summer camp for boys which used the facilities of St. Augustine Seminary, Holland. In 1968 he was transferred to Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, where he was a Teacher and Vice-Principal for Discipline.

He was in 1969 named Director of Novices at St. Monica Novitiate, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He became Principal of St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, in 1971. At this time he was also appointed Rector of Postulants. He was in 1975 named Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community

Father Peck was in 1976 transferred to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served as Teacher and Prior. In 1979 he was named Headmaster. In that year he was also elected to the Province Council.

In 1985 Father Peck became Personnel Director of the Province and Superintendent of Schools. He resided at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he served as Prior.

Father Peck became ill at Tolentine Monastery during the afternoon of June 27, 1988. He was taken to Olympia Fields Osteopathic Hospital, Olympia Fields, where he died from a massive heart attack on that same day.

He was a quiet but gracious man who was interested in others.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.