Obituaries

Chicago (Aug. 21, 2025) – Rev. Peter P. Paurazas, pastor emeritus of the former St. Rene Goupil Parish on New England Avenue in Chicago (now part of Two Holy Martyrs Parish), passed away Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at the age of 96.

Paurazas was born on June 28, 1929, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Paurazas was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1955, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 15 of the same year at the former St. Joseph and St. Anne Parish in Chicago (now known as Our Lady of Fatima-Shrine of St. Anne).

After ordination to the priesthood, Paurazas served as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Parish on S. Saginaw Street, Immaculate Conception Parish on 44th Street and St. Adrian Parish on Washtenaw Avenue, all in Chicago. He became pastor of St. Adrian Parish in 1980 and became pastor of St. Rene Goupil Parish in 1992. He served as pastor of that parish until he retired in 2000.

Rev. Marcel J. Pasciak, retired archdiocesan priest and pastor emeritus of St. Patricia Parish, remembered his friend of 30 years as a kind priest, very well loved at the parishes he served and an avid traveler. “His parishes were all on the South Side; he was a big White Sox and Bears fan,” said Pasciak.

All funeral services will be held at St. Patricia Church, 9050 S. 86th Avenue in Hickory Hills. Lying in state will take place Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, from 3 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and Monday, Aug. 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral Mass will be held Monday, Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. Pasciak will be the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Interment will take place at St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago.