Obituario

Chicago (March 25, 2021) – Rev. Harold A. Bonin, pastor emeritus of St. Jerome Parish, passed away Monday, March 22, 2021, at the age of 82. He retired in 2009.

Bonin was born on Jan. 18, 1939, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Bonin was ordained to the priesthood on April 29, 1965, by Most Rev. Cletus F. O’ Donnell, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 2 of the same year at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Chicago.

After ordination, Bonin served as assistant pastor at St. Benedict Parish on Irving Park Road and Queen of Angels Parish on Western Avenue, both in Chicago. Bonin also taught at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North for about 10 years. He served as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Brook Parish in Northbrook, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on Ashland Avenue in Chicago, St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove and St. Joseph Parish in Summit. Bonin served as pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish on 88th Street in Chicago and St. Jerome Parish.

Monsignor Jim T. Kaczorowski (class of ’73), pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish (formerly known as Queen of Angels and St. Matthias Parish) knew Bonin very well as they worked together at his current parish. “He was a musical genius and a real advocate for people in need,” said Kaczorowski. According to Kaczorowski, Bonin’s homilies focused on social justice and solidarity with the marginalized, he had a preferential option for the poor and learned Spanish to better serve the Latino congregation at the parishes he was assigned to.

Rev. William E. Vanecko, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered his classmate as a wonderful musician who played the accordion and church organ. “He was always a delight to be with,” Vanecko added.

The funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 29, at St. John of the Cross Parish, 5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Springs, and will be celebrated by Rev. William Vollmer. The livestream of the funeral Mass can be found on the parish website: https://www.stjohnofthecross.org/.

Interment will immediately follow the conclusion of the funeral Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.