Br. Paul Hanisko, OFM Cap.

Brother Paul Julius Hanisko, OFM Cap. passed on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 while in the hospital in Appleton, WI. He died at the age of 88.

Br. Paul was born in Iron Mountain, MI on January 17, 1935. He was born to Julius Hanisko and Frances Muckawitz. He was invested with the Capuchin habit in 1952, and made perpetual vows in 1956.

As a Capuchin friar, Br. Paul's vocation lead him to a vast array of ministries and experiences. Beginning as a tailor's assistant, he then moved to St. Francis Parish in Milwaukee in 1960. During his time, he was witnessed to the changing neighborhood as a result of the Civil Rights Movement.

After his time in Milwaukee, he moved to St. Labre School in Ashland, MT to assist with the Capuchin mission to the Crow and Cheyenne communities. He is remembered as serving with joy in his humble role as cook, feeding mouths and souls.

In 1973, Br. Paul began ministering in parishes alongside his Capuchin brothers. As religious communities were asked to discover their original charism, Br. Paul considered his vocation and began to move beyond tailoring and cooking. He served at St. Patrick's in St. Paul, MN for six years, then again returned to Montana. There he served as Director of Religious Education at St. Bernard Parish in Billings, MT. He would encounter new opportunities of ministry through the 980's to teach, preach, and beginning theological studies in 1984.

In 1990, Br. Paul was asked to be the administrator of Grace House, a hospice center for people suffering from AIDS. In his own words, he found this ministry difficult, learning to grieve the loss of his guests.

After a series of difficult experiences, he found solace at Capuchin Retreat Center in Washington Township, MI. Bringing together the mixture of ministries that he had experienced. He would decorate the retreat center, he cared for the large garden, and took time to listen to retreatants and the youth.

Throughout his life as a Capuchin, he served as artisan, teacher, administrator, and as a friend. As the world changed around him in radical ways, he responded to an unpredictable world through his gifts and his presence. At his 60th jubilee, he said that his life had made him "more wise, more humble, and more thankful to God."

He is preceded in death by his parents Julisu Hanisko and Frances Muckawitz, and his brother Albert. He is survived by his sisters Justine Genosot, Eda McGraf, and Diane Yelick, as well as his many Capuchin brothers with whom he lived, prayed, and ministered for 70 years.

Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Saturday, March 11 at St. Bonaventure Chapel, located at 1740 Mt. Elliott Road, Detroit, MI. Visitation will begin at 9AM. The Liturgy for Christian Burial will begin at 10AM. Burial to follow.