Before becoming a priest, Rev. John Maksym, ChD, received many honors in the course of his long Navy career. But it’s safe to say that a recent recognition will be especially memorable for him.

Fr. Maksym was lauded as a “Hero of the Game” at the December 21 University of Michigan men’s basketball game at Crisler Arena. The university honors a “Hero of the Game” – including military veterans or first responders – at each home basketball, football, and ice hockey game. Fr. Maksym was nominated by Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM (U. of Michigan Class of 1997).

Fr. Maksym, a 1983 graduate of the University of Michigan, was probably pleased with the game’s outcome: A blow-out win by top-ranked Michigan over opponent La Salle, 102 – 50.

Before entering the priesthood, Fr. Maksym served 31 years in the Navy, retiring with the rank of Commander. A graduate of the Detroit College of Law, he served as a senior judge of the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals from 2008-12, and finished his military career in Japan as the Circuit Military Judge for the Western Pacific.

Fr. Maksym’s military honors include the Bronze Star Medal for brave or meritorious action in a combat zone, which he received for his conduct while in Iraq in 2007.

A canon lawyer as well as a civil lawyer, Fr. Maksym serves as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy Discipline for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is the pastor of Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood. A newer member of the Michigan Area, Fr. Maksym was invested as a Chaplain of the Order in November 2025.

Follow the Michigan Area on FaceBook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.