Father Jan F. Kaplan, 80, died May 22. He was pastor emeritus of St. Ladislaus Parish.

Born in Janów Podlaski, Poland, he attended high school there before entering the diocesan seminary in Siedlce, Poland.

Father Kaplan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Siedlce in 1967.

From 1967 to 1977, Kaplan served as an associate pastor at several different parishes in the Diocese of Siedlce. He then served as a missionary in the Diocese of Anatuya, Argentina, from 1977 to 1985. He moved to Canada to serve in the Diocese of Prince Albert from 1985 to 1998.

Following his time in Canada, Father Kaplan moved to Illinois and served as associate pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Lemont; Transfiguration, Wauconda; St. Joseph, Round Lake and St. Blase, Argo (now Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote). He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2005 and served as pastor of St. Ladislaus.

Following his retirement in 2014, Father Kaplan resided at his family home in Poland.

Father Wojciech Kwiecień first met Father Kaplan when they were both at St. Ladislaus and remembered his friend as an incredible person who was dedicated to connecting with people. “He was very happy to be a priest and had a great passion for traveling and spreading his ministry.”