Father William J Greytak, 84, died at St Peter’s Hospital in Helena on the morning of September 26, 2015.
William Joseph Greytak was born in Butte, Montana on November 13, 1930, the son of Steve W and Marie Green Greytak. His elementary and secondary education was in Butte (St Patrick’s grade school and Boy’s Central Irish Christian Brother’s High School, 1948) and he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Carroll College, Helena in history. His seminary formation was at the American College, Louvain, Belgium where he was ordained July 1, 1956. Helena diocese’ first bishop, John Baptiste Brondel also attended this same seminary.
Bishop Gilmore, Helena’s fifth bishop, assigned Father Greytak to teach Spanish at Carroll College in Sept, 1956. Summer studies over several years earned him a Masters in Romance Languages from the University of Michigan, a Masters in History from Berkeley. He then earned a Masters and PhD in European History from the University of Colorado.
From July of 1978 through July of 1983 Father served as the rector of the American College in Louvain, Belgium. He returned to the faculty of Carroll College for the fall semester in 1983 where he taught and counseled students until retiring from that faculty in July of 2001.
Father assisted in parishes throughout his years teaching at Carroll. Father served weekends at Sacred Heart Parish in Wolf Creek, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Helmville and St. Jude Mission in Lincoln. Beginning October 1, 1992, he was appointed as Pastor of St. Catherine Parish in Boulder with St. John Mission in the Boulder Valley, a position he held until December of 2014.
Father Greytak is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Andrew A Greytak. He is survived by his brother Stephen J Greytak and wife Honora, niece, Kate Johnston and her four children, Rob, Charles, Christopher and Madeline, nephews, Mark Greytak and wife Cheryl, John Greytak, David Greytak and wife Pam, Richard Greytak and wife Colleen, Christopher Greytak and wife Colleen, Robert Greytak and wife Cheryl, daughters Haley and Natalie, step nephew Cyril Brdecka, step niece Holly Ady and husband Bill, step niece, Christie Tujela and husband, Paul and their children, cousin James Greytak and wife Bettie and cousin John Husbey and wife Rose.
Special gratitude goes to Dr. Thomas Weiner, staff and nurses at Touchmark and at St. Peter’s Hospital, and the parishioners at St Catherine’s Parish, Boulder.
Viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1st, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 2nd, 2015 at the funeral home. A Vigil Service is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 2nd, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. A Funeral Mass is set for 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Helena with Bishop Thomas presiding. A burial will follow the Mass at the St. John of the Valley Cemetery outside of Boulder. A reception will immediately follow the burial at St. Catherine’s Catholic Parish Greytak Social Center in Boulder.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like gifts directed to: The Greytak Professorship at Carroll College, 1601 North Benton, Helena, MT 59625.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Fr. William.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday October 2, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Friday October 2, 2015
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Saturday October 3, 2015
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Saturday October 3, 2015
St. John of the Valley Cemetery
Located on Hwy 69 in the Boulder Valley, 15 miles southeast of Boulder
Boulder, Montana 59632
Reception
After the burial
Saturday October 3, 2015
St. Catherine Catholic Parish Fr. Greytak Hall
214 S. Elder
Boulder, Montana 59632
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday October 2, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Friday October 2, 2015
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Saturday October 3, 2015
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Saturday October 3, 2015
St. John of the Valley Cemetery
Located on Hwy 69 in the Boulder Valley, 15 miles southeast of Boulder
Boulder, Montana 59632
Reception
After the burial
Saturday October 3, 2015
St. Catherine Catholic Parish Fr. Greytak Hall
214 S. Elder
Boulder, Montana 59632
Share
DR. MARIDEL T. ANDRES, PHD, PC says
My deep condolences. Fr. Bill was a lovely soul – kind, quiet, and strong.
I started working at our American College of KULeuven, Belgium,
as In-House Psychologist under his good leadership as Rector.
He will be greatly missed.
Thoughts and Prayers, Maridel
State of Colorado
David Rock says
RIP Bill. You will be missed by your family and those who you served. Pray for us .
Doug Comstock says
A great colleague to work with at The American College.
Tom Ivory says
May Bill rest in the peace of Christ, aware of how grateful we are for his dedicated ministry as Rector/ President of The American College Theological Seminary at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and in his retirement years in the Diocese of Helena.
Jim Moudry, St.Paul-Mpls says
Great memories of my classmate from 1956…a wonderful man and priest. May he rest in peace
Anthony Randazzo says
Bill welcomed me with open arms to the American College in 1982. Soft-spoken, kind disciple of Christ, hospitable and gentle in the Christ Spirit. Honored to have met and spent time with Bill at the College. May the consolation of Christ be felt by all family and friends.
Mary Louise Chesley-Cora says
I didn’t know Bill personally but know he was with my dear husband, George Cora as a friend and classmate at Louvain and was ordained with him in 1956. I am also sure that George was in that ” Cloud of Witnesses ” welcoming him home! George joined that group 10 months ago. May his life continue to be a blessing and our loving God bring comfort and peace of heart to all who have known and loved him.
Teresa Makela says
May he rest in peace. Father presided over many monumental events for my family. He will be greatly missed.
DR. MARIDEL T. ANDRES says
My deep condolences. Fr. Bill was a kind, positive, loving, and strong soul.
I started as the In-House Psychologist at The American College Seminary
of KULeuven, Belgium, under his good leadership and Ministry as our Rector.
He will be greatly missed.
Love and Prayers, Maridel
Colorado
Francis P. Kayatta says
My sincerest prayers and sympathy to Bill’s family. As one of his former students in Louvain he was a great example of priestly life & ministry.
Fr Bill Pomerleau says
What more can I add? Fr. Bill was a kind, even-tempered soul who patiently guided seminarians and student priests in a challenging international environment. He was certainly a great man of the Church.
Colleen Greytak says
Recent visit with him with family in late August and a wonderful leader, priest, full of humor and kindness, he will be missed. Sincerest condolences to the family and friends.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Michael and Jill Muscarelli and family says
While living in Boulder, MT for five years in the late 90’s, going to mass at St. Catherine’s and having the privilege of knowing Father Greytak were truly highlights of that time. Our kids are all adults now and they STILL speak of him with love and say what a nice man he was when they were growing up. He was a kind, gentle man and a wonderful priest and we wish peace and comfort for his family.
Fr. Bill Traylor - Evansville, IN says
May the Angels lead him into paradise…
As a fellow alumnus of The American College of the Immaculate Conception please know that his ministry at The College was a great gift. Please be assured of my prayers for Father Greytak and his entire family.
Fr John Costanzo says
Bill Greytak was my predecessor as Rector of The American College. He was extremely kind, helpful and down to earth in making the transition a smooth one. Other friends in Denver, where he did graduate studies, still remember him with fondness.
Con Kelly says
To Family and Friends of Bill,
My deepest feelings of sympathy to you on the passing of your and my good friend, Bill. I regret that I will be unable to attend the funeral but will be with you in spirit. Bill was one of the “good guys”. I personally will miss his wisdom, his sense of humor, his loyalty to anything in which he was involved. A man of deep faith, Bill was someone on whom you could rely. He was always there for those privileged to know him and to be counted among his many friends and admirers.
Dr. Mark Meister says
Fr. Greytak inspired my academic career. My teaching style is a combo model of Fr. Greytak and Fr. Sullivan. Although I teach at a public university, I silently recite to myself one Hail Mary and one Our Father before each class. Just as we, his fortunate students, did aloud prior to class.
Jim and Barb McMahon says
Father Greytak was a wonderful priest who did so much for St. Catherine’s Parish. We were fortunate to have him with us over the years. He will be greatly missed.
Terry Minow says
Father Greytak was a truly holy man: kind, humble, loving. He used his talents and skills to do so much for the community of Boulder and the Boulder Valley. His legacy lives on in our community.
John T Vandeberg, PhD says
Father Greytak was Dean of Men and history Professor when I attended Carroll. He was an excellent teacher; his rule as Dean of Men was just, yet forgiving. He was a friend. We attended his 50th Anniversary/Celebration, since being ordained, held in the St. Catherine Parish, Boulder, Montana. He was special.
Ralph Yaeger says
Peace be with you, Father Greytak. Incredible professor and advisor, and an absolutely gifted lecturer. He will be remembered.
Dr. Joseph Laythe says
He was my mentor and role model. As a historian and a professor, I try to be both challenging and compassionate as well as playful and insightful. He taught me so much. Even today, in my own university classroom, I will use phrases like he once used: “Now I’m sure you all read Dante’s ‘Inferno’ in the third grade, so you’ll remember…” I’d always leave his class and run to the library to read what he thought I ought to have read. He was (and remains) an inspiration. Amazing man.
Ady Family says
May you rest in peace Father Bill, you will be greatly missed to our family,your community and the church. Ady Family
Jason & Margaret Henkels says
Father Greytak was a wonderful man that welcomed my wife back to the church and brought me into the church. He also renewed our wedding vows, and made the four years we lived in Boulder memorable and a faith building time that will always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace. Our thoughts & prayers to the family.
Eric Stang says
He helped me become a better student and a life long learner. I’ve seen a lot of the world, because he helped motivate me to go and see it. Rest in Peace Fr. Greytak.
Diane Honey says
Father Greytak was my all time favorite college professor! I was a medical technology student but happened to randomly take Russian History from him. Best decision ever!
Christal Koebbe Winterrowd says
During the mid-70s, I was in a Biology/Chem major, with a keen interest in history took as many history courses as I could. Took a Russian history course during the summer, at the end of which Fr. Greytak brought in what he called the Russian nemesis, served up with OJ. Though I didn’t apply for it, he recognized my efforts and credits required and so I have a minor in history along with my Bio/Chem degree. A great teacher, brilliant mind. He will be missed.
Denny Quinn says
The history classes I took from Father Greytak while a student at Carroll are among the highlights of my time there. He was a fascinating teacher who left me with words of wisdom that I still treasure.
Charlene Launer says
My deepest sympathy to family and friends on the passing of a great man, priest and teacher, Father Greytak. I first met Father when he was stationed at St Richards Parish in Columbia Falls while he was finishing his doctoral thesis. Our paths crossed again at Carroll College where I was a biology major but also an advocate of taking his history classes. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him in and outside his classroom.
Molly & Ken GaleWyrick says
As Biology majors at Carroll in the early 1970’s, we were encouraged to take classes in other disciplines that would prepare us for the MCAT and hopefully enrich our lives. Father Greytak’s courses did that and so much more. He was an outstanding educator but more importantly a man of integrity and great kindness. May he rest in God’s peace.
Robert Beloin says
Bill was a terrific colleague during our five years together on the Staff of the American College. I admired him in many ways. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Leonard Wilkuski says
Having served with Bill on the American College staff during his tenure as rector, I wish, even though late, to express my admiration for Bill. He was a kind and thoughtful man, determined in his leadership, willing to tackle difficult problems, be they difficult evaluations all the way to maintenance problems. I was honored to have served with him.
Pat Gillen says
Fr. Greytak was my advisor at Carroll. He was a wonderful teacher, and nobody ever missed his class. Of course, that could have been because of the weekly “drop quizzes”! Because of him I became a teacher. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Doug Grant says
Bill was the Rector of the American College during my last year of studies, 1978-79. Earlier that same year, Professor Jan Lambrecht directed my class diaconal ordination retreat at which time he stated, and I have never forgotten, “All election is for service.”
Bill was the embodiment of that statement. Kindness, intelligence, and a profound inner strength flowed from this good man. He was a blessing to me and many, many others. Till we meet again Bill!
Stacy Hyatt says
Father Greytak was a wonderful man. I took several history classes from him during my years at Carroll. I will always remember him. He had such a passion for history. He certainly made an impact on my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Christopher Arts says
Thank you for welcoming me to the American College in 1981, Father Greytak. I still think often of the American College and of your inspirational presence there. You were a big influence in my life. My sincere condolences to the family. May you Rest in Peace.
Daniel Bahnmiller says
Father Greytak was by far the most amazing teacher I have ever had, and going through medical school I can say that I have had the fortune of many good teachers. I was fortunate to have taken a couple of history classes from him and I can say that if everyone had the fortune of learning history from Father, as I did humans would not continue repeating the mistakes of our past. Those of us who had the fortune of Fr Greytak are blessed beyond words. Lord rest his soul.
Michael Paul Gimness, MD says
Father Greytak was a thoughtful teacher who challenged you to be your best. He helped me over the course of my studies at Carroll College and was instrumental in my educational journey. I’m a Family Physician in Florida now and my history courses with him were some of the best classes I remember. God bless Father Greytak – you are missed.