Father Victorian James Haladus, ofm, died peacefully of heart failure at the age of 79 on Monday, May 13, 2013 at St. Mary's Home of Felician Village Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

James Haladus was born on October 25, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Anne (Kelecaj). Haladus. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Ladislaus Church in Cleveland. While James and his brother Jerome were both very young his father tragically disappeared. To this day no one knows the circumstances surrounding his disappearance His mother Anne remarried years later to William W. Schroeder. His brother Jerome became a member of the Dominican Order and was later ordained a priest.

James was received into the Franciscan novitiate on July 4, 1954 where he received the name, "Victorian". Four years later he confirmed his commitment to the Franciscan way of life as he professed his solemn vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the hands of Fr. Pius Barth, Minister Provincial.

On June 13, 1961 listening to the call of the Holy Spirit, Victorian was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Henry Pinger, ofm. Victorian served the Church and the Order as a teacher and librarian (Franciscan Padua High School Parma, OH. 1963-1981) and as a hospital chaplain. (St. Joseph Hospital Joliet, IL, (1985-1992), Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, IL (1992-2000), St. John Hospital Springfield, IL (2000-2004).

Victorian knew very early on in his priesthood that preaching wasn't his strongest suite. So he looked at the other many gifts that God had given him and applied them to his sacramental ministry. So much so that he began using props to make the Gospel come alive. He may not have been the most articulate individual but by using other resources he was able to bring the awareness of God's love to others in very different ways. One of the most unique approaches is when he became a professional clown. As a clown he wanted to reach out mainly to the younger patients in his ministry to show them the joy of Christ's presence of love in their lives. His ministry was so effective he spent many hours coming up with skits and learning how to make "Scripture based balloon figures". Victorian later received the nickname, "Christ's Clown" which he found very humbling. Once he replied after being called this nickname, "After all St. Francis was a fool for Christ why not a clown?"

Victorian was a person of deep faith. He had no doubt that whatever trial or tribulation he would experience in his life God would be there to provide counsel and comfort. The past few years he suffered from kidney failure and was receiving dialysis three times a week. He would get up at 3:30 a.m. to make sure he had plenty of time to pray before he left. Prayer for Victorian was a very special time. He called it his time for daily renewal and rejuvenation of spirit. He would always say that after prayer he was ready to face any challenges the day may bring.

Fr. Victorian was ready to face his final challenge in the early morning of Monday May 13. He was quite aware that the light of this world for him was coming to an end. He said with great anticipation "I wish God would come soon" and at 2:20 a.m. his prayer was heard and he died peacefully surrounded by the brightness of a new light, his loving savior Jesus Christ. May Christ's Clown now smile with great joy as he encounters the love and peace of our Lord.

Fr. Victorian was preceded in death by his mother and step-father and his brother. He is survived by his step-brother Robert Schroeder (Jody Schroeder) of Cleveland, Ohio and nieces and nephews and his Franciscan family.

In lieu of flowers and in your kindness please consider making a donation for the care of the elderly Franciscan Friars. Blessed Giles Friary 1820 Grand Ave. Manitowoc, WI 54220

Mass of Christian Burial was held at Blessed Angela Chapel Manitowoc, WI
Interment will be on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11 a.m. All Souls Cemetery Chardon, OH. (Section 13)

"If by chance someday you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled". Skelton