Obituaries

Chicago - (Nov. 23, 2022) – Rev. Robert J. Roll, former pastor of St. Bride Parish on Coles Avenue in Chicago, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. He was 71 years old.

Roll was born on Jan. 14, 1951, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles College in Niles and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1977, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 13 of the same year at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Rosemont.

Roll served the people of the archdiocese as assistant pastor at the following: St. Constance Parish on Strong Street, St. Cornelius Parish on Foster Avenue, and St. Josephine Bakhita Parish on 72nd Street, all in Chicago, and St. Giles Parish in Oak Park. He continued his service as pastor at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish on Paulina Street, St. Maurice Parish on Hoyne Avenue and St. Bride Parish on Coles Avenue, all in Chicago. Roll also served as vicariate dean for three years, 1998-2001. He retired in 2021.

Rev. Francis Kub, associate vicar for Canonical Affairs, said that “Fr. Roll gave a great example of unheralded care and generosity while serving for many years in urban ministry.”

“He served the poor and abandoned,” said Rev. Jim Clavey, S.J., a good friend of Roll. “He was just a good soul, a man for others.”

All funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Hope Mission, 9711 W. Devon Ave., in Rosemont. Visitation hours will take place from 9 – 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 and the funeral Mass will take place immediately afterwards, at 11 a.m. Bishop Robert Casey will be the celebrant of the Mass and Kub will be the homilist. Interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.