Obituaries

Chicago (June 15, 2023) – Rev. Milan Cyril Nemecek, pastor emeritus of Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2023. He was 88 years old.

Nemecek was born on July 1, 1934, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Nemecek was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1960, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and celebrated his first Mass on May 8 at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in Chicago.

Nemecek served the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Denis Parish on St. Louis Avenue and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on Keeler Street both in Chicago; he was also assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Mount Parish and Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish both in Cicero. From 1979 to 1992, Nemecek was pastor at St. Mary of Celle Parish in Berwyn, and from 1992 until 2004 he served as pastor at Mater Christi Parish.

In addition to his diocesan duties, Nemecek served the archdiocese in other roles: He was assistant director of the Office of Urban Affairs, assistant secretary of the Commission on Human Relations and Ecumenism; he was a delegate to the Interreligious Council on Urban Affairs, a member of the steering committee of the priests’ senate, a member of the compensation committee for Catholic school personnel, a consultant to Catholic Cemeteries and a member of the pastors’ review board.

Rev. Patrick Tucker, former pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills, had known Nemecek since 1972. “He was very pastoral and empowered the people he worked with,” Tucker said. He recalled that Nemecek would give a note to couples getting married: In the note, he promised to take the engaged couple out for pizza on their first wedding anniversary. Nemecek was also a good golfer, according to Tucker.

Nemecek requested that his body be donated to Loyola University Medical Center. A memorial service will be celebrated in the near future.