BR. LOUIS F. HURCIK, C.S.C.
July 8, 1933-Sept. 23, 2016
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Br. Louis F. Hurcik, C.S.C., 83, died at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, Ind. on Friday, September 23, 2016.
Br. Louis was born in Chicago, Ill., on July 8, 1933, to Anthony and Mary (Hartwig) Hurcik. He attended St. Vitus Grade School and St. Ignatius High School, graduating in June of 1950. The next September, he entered the candidate program for Brothers of Holy Cross in North Dartmouth, Mass. In January 1951, he moved to newly opened candidate program in Andre House at Notre Dame, He received the habit on August 15, 195l and his novitiate year was split between South Bend, Ind., and Jordan, Minn., he made First Vows on August 16, 1952, and his final vows on August 16, 1955.
Br. Louis’ first assignment was as assistant sacristan in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, Ind., working with the legendary sacristan, Br. Boniface. In 1960, he began working at the Ave Maria Press on the Catholic Boy and Catholic Miss magazines then published by the Congregation of Holy Cross. In 1969 he was assigned to Little Flower Parish in South Bend, Ind. In 1970, he moved to the University of Notre Dame and started what led to a 38-year career as an Instructor in the Department of Physical Education. Br. Louis taught numerous Notre Dame students how to swim, lifeguard and save lives through Red Cross training at various levels and degrees. In 1989 The St. Joseph County Red Cross recognized Br. Louis for 33 years of continuous volunteer services as a life guard, and water and safety instructor, and a CPR instructor totaling 20,500 hours of service. During his years at Notre Dame, he was also the Director of the Rockne Memorial facility on campus. In 2008 he began assisting at the Student Health Center at Notre Dame as its webmaster until the present year. Br. Louis moved to Holy Cross House in 2013.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Anthony and Mary Hurcik; and a brother Anthony Hurcik, Jr.
Br. Louis is survived by a sister Mary Lou Johnson of Gahanna, Ohio and a niece.
Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (September 27, 2016) at Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, IN, where there will be a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.