Cyril L. Vellicig was born on January 28, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana, son of James Ve1licig and Louise Kodramaz. He has one brother, Constantine, and one sister, Mary. He attended St. Vitus Parochial School, East Madison Elementary School, and East Technical High School, all in Cleveland, Ohio. He specialized in mechanics. Cyril served in the U. S. Army, 1944-1946, as a machinist in a Medical Depot Company, Rhineland, Germany. He was honorably discharged as a Technician 4th Grade.

Cyril entered Maryknoll on October 22, 1949, attended the Maryknoll Novitiate in Akron, Ohio, and pronounced his First Oath of Obedience on June 29, 1951. In 1951 he was assigned to the St. Louis Development House to serve in the promotion office and as a bus driver for Maryknoll students studying in Maryknol1's small seminary in St. Louis. On May 25, 1954 he was transferred to Marykno11, New York and served there for one year.

On May 25. 1955. Brother Cyril was assigned to Maryknol1 Mission Region in Tanzania and has served his entire mission career in the Maswa-Shinyanga area. He studied both Kisukuma and Kiswahili languages and became quite proficient. The Bishop placed him in charge of construction of many mission buildings throughout the Diocese of Shinyanga and he became a first class builder. As the mission supervisor of construction he has made a big contribution to the growth of the Tanzania Mission Region. He also enjoys his hobbies of reading, music, photography, hunting and gardening.

Brother Cyril has been living in the Bishop's Residence since 1978 and serving as the Diocesan Treasurer, Procurator and Building Supervisor. He has kept the growing diocese on a firm, financial basis and is considered an indispensable person by his Bishop. He is a fine host to Maryknollers and others who visit the Bishop's Residence.

Cyril's Reflections             Cyril's Ministry

Visit the Maryknollers Currently in Shinyanga, Tanzania