The oldest priest in the Diocese of Buffalo, Msgr. Paul R. Juenker, died Feb. 8, 2018, at the Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home in Clarence after a short illness. He was 97.

Born July 2, 1920 in East Aurora to John and Pauline (Renow) Juenker, Msgr. Juenker attended St. Clare's Academy, East Aurora; Our Lady of Lourdes School, Buffalo, and St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, Kenmore. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Canisius College in Buffalo before attending St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester. He also took graduate studies at Canisius.

Msgr. Juenker was ordained Sept. 22, 1945 at St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo, with Bishop John O'Hara presiding. He celebrated his first Mass the following day at Our Lady of Lourdes, Buffalo.

During his 50 years of active ministry to the diocese, he served at Immaculate Conception, a missionary parish in Cassadaga, and St. Brigid Parish, Buffalo, before joining the faculty at the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, where he served from 1949-1969. He was then named pastor of Blessed Trinity, Buffalo. From 1974 to 1995, he served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Buffalo.

Msgr. Juenker is survived by his brothers Robert, Douglas, Eugene and David. He is predeceased by a brother, John.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 12, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m .at D. Lawrence Ginnane Funeral Home, 3215 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore. Visitation will also take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Buffalo on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 9-10 a.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Bishop Richard J. Malone at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Buffalo, with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.