Reverend Joseph S. Czaja, 96, of Austintown and formerly of Warren, Ohio and Carteret, New Jersey, entered into eternal life on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 7:40 p.m. at Briarfield at Ashley Circle under the care of Hospice.

Father Czaja was born on March 11, 1918 in Carteret, New Jersey the son of Polish immigrants the late Stanislaus and Stefania (Krawczyk) Czaja.

Father Czaja was a graduate of Carteret High School in New Jersey and Middlesex Junior College before beginning his seminary studies at St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake, Michigan, Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, New Jersey and SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary also in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

Father Czaja was ordained on April 6, 1946 in the Cathedral of St. Columba by the Most Reverend James McFadden.

Following ordination, he served as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception, Youngstown (St. Angela Merici) 1946-1949, Holy Name, Youngstown (Our Lady of Sorrows) 1949-1951, St. Barbara, Massillon 1951-1956, and St. Mary, Orwell prior to being appointed pastor there in 1957.  He was pastor of St. Joseph, Warren (St. John Paul II) in 1961 until his retirement in 1983.  During his 24 faithful years as pastor of St. Joseph Church he was instrumental in building the new and current church and place of Worship on North Street in Warren.

Father Czaja was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1938 and held a weekly Sunday Rosary radio program for 14 years on Warren radio station WRRO.

Father Czaja was a longtime, faithful and caring priest in the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, and will be missed by all who knew him, especially his many nieces and nephews who survive.

Besides his parents, Fr. Czaja was preceded in death by sisters Sophie Rytel, Mary Cap, Sr. Mary Paulette, Stella Kushner, Eleanor Yankee, Mildred Taraska and Rose Dobrowolski; and a brother Frank Czaja.

Father Czaja will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at St. John Paul II Parish, 420 North Street NW, Warren, Ohio 44483, where a vesper service will take place at 7:00 p.m.  Father will also lie state from 9:00 until 9:45 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2014 in St. John Paul II Parish with the Most Revered George V. Murry, S.J., Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown officiating and Diocese priests concelebrating.

Burial will take place in St. James Cemetery in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made in Fr. Czaja's name to the Building Fund at St. John Paul II Parish, 1401 Moncrest Drive NW, Warren, Ohio 44485.

Caring and Professional Arrangements for Father Czaja are entrusted to the Sinchak & Sons Funeral Home, 330-392-5691.

Family and friends may view this tribute and share condolences at www.sinchakandsons.com.