Father Jerome Rykowski was born in March 26, 1923 and spent his childhood in Milwaukee along with two sisters and six brothers, including Rev. Valerian Rykowski.
He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and was ordained May 14, 1955 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He came to Pueblo in September 1949.
He was very proud of being Polish and on occasion would say the Mass in Polish. He enjoyed fishing and golf and was reported to be a gourmet cook.
Father Rykowski died May 4, 2012 and was buried in Milwaukee, WI.