Father Louis Kralovich, the founding pastor of St. Luke Parish, Toms River, died  Sept. 22 at age 78.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 26 in St. Luke Church, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Father Kralovich was born April 9, 1934, to Anton and Amelia (Hilboky) Kralovich in Lower Manhattan, N.Y. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to New Brunswick.

Father Kralovich attended public grammar schools in New York and graduated from St. Peter High School, New Brunswick, in 1951. After studies in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., St. Mary Seminary, (North Paca Street,) Baltimore, and St. Mary Seminary and University, Roland Park, Baltimore, he was ordained a priest June 11, 1960, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr.

Father Kralovich served as associate pastor in St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown; Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Trenton; Holy Trinity Parish, Perth Amboy, and St. James Parish, Red Bank.

Named pastor of St. Michael Parish, Trenton, in 1974, Father Kralovich enjoyed serving the Slovak community there for eight years. When the time came for a new appointment, he was transferred to Toms River to establish in a barren field what was to become one of the largest parishes in Ocean County with more than 4,000 families.

Father Kralovich served as pastor of St. Luke Parish until his retirement in 2009, then resided as pastor emeritus there until his death.

Father Kralovich is survived by a niece, and his parish family in St. Luke.

Burial was in St. Peter Cemetery, New Brunswick.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Luke “Lighting the Path” Building Fund, 1674 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, N.J. 08755.