Rev. Anthony J. Wasko O.S.A.

It is with no small blend of sadness mixed with gratitude and joy that the Augustinian Province of St. Augustine in the West announces the death of our brother, Rev. Anthony J. Wasko O.S.A. On January 26^th he died at home suddenly of a combination of illnesses, including a bad heart.  Only a few days before, he used his inimitable charm by turning a mundane restaurant dinner into a memorable social evening.  Now, “Fr. Tony’s” celebration of life continues, as he is welcomed into heaven. This is the reward for which he lived his entire life.

Tony was born in Shamokin Pennsylvania on May 16, 1931 to Joseph Wasko and Elizabeth DeConcini. When Tony was a small boy, his father died in a coal mining accident. His mother later married George Price. His brothers Edward Wasko and Jacob Price survive Fr. Tony.  His parents and his brother George Price predecease him. 

Fr. Wasko professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1951. He graduated from Villanova University in 1955, and was ordained a priest on June 7, 1958. In 1959, Fr. Wasko was assigned to his first priestly assignment, and arrived at the San Diego train station wearing a straw hat, not typical for the locale. His east coast sensibilities were at first challenged by perceived west coast impropriety; but soon Fr. Wasko fell in love with California, and particularly Catholic high school education. Fr. Tony taught for ten years at St. Augustine High School in San Diego. He was the headmaster of Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, California from 1969 to1975. In 1975 he became the principal of St. Augustine High School. He was a most effective administrator. On September 25, 1978 his leadership was challenged as principal in a way that no one could ever imagine. PSA flight 182 crashed over North Park and the school gym became a triage and command and control center. Fr. Wasko proved to be the most effective of school ministers and civic leaders.

In 1984, Fr. Wasko became the Director of Development for St. Augustine’s. In 1989 Fr. Tony proved himself wrong when he discovered that his gifts in ministry weren’t restricted to education. For the next eighteen years Fr. Wasko was a most effective and loved parish priest, serving at both Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, and St. Patrick’s Church in San Diego. Since 2001, he was the archivist for the Augustinians. Intermittently, over many years, Fr. Wasko celebrated the Sunday mass at St. Augustine’s High School Chapel.

Fr. Tony multi-tasked before it was a word in the lexicon. While still a teacher, he created what is now called “the Augustinian Guild,” an instrument for raising money for the education of seminarians. As ASB moderator of St. Augustine’s in the 60’s, he organized and chaperoned dances that took place in the gym twice a month. In recent years, he has been the animator of frequent class reunions for the school. As if this weren’t enough, he was an orator. He had a master’s degree in drama and made use of it at will. This made him the most effective of preachers and his humanity allowed him to bask in that glory.

All are invited to pay their respects to Fr. Wasko and his family on Sunday afternoon, January 30^th from 4:00 until 5:00 at St. Augustine High School Chapel. A recitation of the rosary will take place there at 4:30.

Fr. Tony’s funeral mass will be celebrated at one of his favorite places of ministry--St. Augustine High School gymnasium (3266 Nutmeg St., San Diego) on Monday, January 31 at 10:30 in the morning. A light lunch on the school’s grounds will be served after the liturgy.

Please remember Fr. Wasko, his brothers, sisters-in-law and his nieces and nephews, the Augustinian family, as well as all of his professional colleagues, parishioners, and former students, in your prayers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Augustinian Guild, St. Augustine High School endowment program (San Diego) or the Villanova Preparatory School endowment program (Ojai.)