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Name: STRAESSLE, Joseph (Father)
Birth Date: 7 Aug 1885 Butschwill, Switzerland
Death Date: 24 July 1962 Oran, Algeria
First Date: 1930
Profession: Catholic Mission
Area: Nairobi
Book Reference: Red 31
General Information:
Henry J. Koren, Spiritan East African Memorial, 1994: He made his vows on Octobe r6, 1908 at Chevilly, did his theology there and on
October 28,1911 was also ordained in the same location. His first assignment sent him to Haiti in 1914. He ministered there as a pastor in
Furcy and Pétionville for ten years. Exhausted by his strenuous work at a time when World War One made relief impossible, he went to Europe in 1924 for recuperation. Transferred to the Vicariate of Zanzibar, he sailed for Mombasa on September 17, 1925. Bp. Neville appointed him to St. Austin's in Nairobi. ln 1928 we find him in charge of the Mbitini station, which had been started only a few years before. lt was uphill work, but he carried on for about six years without much success.
Thereafter, he assisted Fr. Michael Wtte in Kabaa with its famous teachers training school. His final post was in the Giriama mission. ln July 1938, after a leave at home, he retumed to Haiti and worked there again in the Pétionville parish, entrusted to the Congregation. After World War Two we find him at Miserghin. He remained there till the end of his life, serving as pastor in one of the parishes attached to this home for the retired and semi-invalids. An accident near Oran put an end to his life.