Congratulations to Father William Kraynack, who retired from active ministry earlier this year on July 1.
Father Kraynak was born in Youngstown in 1950 to William and Ann Seman Kraynack—one of five children. He attended Sacred Heart School in Youngstown, and later Poland Elementary School and Poland High School. After high school, he pursued undergraduate studies at Youngstown State University (YSU) while working fulltime as a shoe store manager.
After taking a break from college studies, he decided to pursue priestly studies at St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, where he received a bachelor’s in history. Progressing to Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary, also in Cincinnati, he earned a master of divinity degree.
Father Kraynak was ordained by Bishop James Malone in 1981. His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Paul Parish in Salem where he remained until 1983.
Over the next decade, he served as associate pastor for a succession of parishes: St. Louis in Louisville (now part of St. Isidore Parish in Louisville/Harrisburg) from 1983 to 1987; St. Charles in Boardman (now part of St. Catherine of Siena) from 1987 to 1991; and St. Joseph in Canton (now part of Guardian Angels) from 1991 to 1994.
In 1994, Father Kraynak was appointed to his first pastorate, Sacred Heart of Mary in Harrisburg (now part of St. Isidore Parish in Louisville/Harrisburg), where he served until his transfer to St. Joan of Arc in Canton (now part of Guardian Angels Parish) as pastor in 2004.
Father Kraynak remained there until he was appointed pastor of
Immaculate Conception in Ravenna (now part of St. Katherine Drexel Parish) in 2013. He served there until his retirement earlier this year on July 1. During his pastorate, he was known for promoting stewardship.
He has served for a number of terms on the diocesan Presbyteral Council and has served on the on diocesan College of Consultors and continues to do so.
Father Kraynak has been a member of the board of Catholic Charities serving Portage and Stark Counties and plans to continue to be involved in the work of Catholic Charities. In 2026 he received a Voice of Hope Award from diocesan Catholic Charities.
Anyone wishing to send congratulations to Father Kraynak can do so at: 162 Carly Ct., Hartville, OH 44632.
