Pastor emeritus at Our Lade of Hope Catholic Church in Rosemont dies

The Rev. William Mannion, who served parishes across the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 50 years, most recently as the pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Rosemont, has died.

Mannion died Jan. 20 after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

"He was a fixture in the Rosemont community," said the Rev. John Clemens, who succeeded Mannion as pastor.

"Rosemont has only one church, so as pastor you're automatically involved in the community in many ways," Clemens added. "The parish already was a tight-knit community, but Fr. Mannion helped the community become closer."

Dale Torii, former deputy superintendent of Rosemont's Public Safety Department, remembers Mannion officiating at the village's annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies.

"He was something of an old-school priest," Torii says, "but he was very nice and would do anything for anyone."

In church, Mannion was known for his scholarly approach to the Scriptures and his ability to help the congregation understand their meaning. But his parish members knew him casually as well.

"He always liked to ride his bike through the neighborhood, so he got to know people," Clemens said. "He was very friendly, yet not showy. He was quiet, a deep thinker and gentle."

Mannion was born on Chicago's South Side, the son of Irish immigrants. He attended Quigley Preparatory South Seminary for high school and the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein before being ordained a priest in 1963.

Mannion served as an assistant pastor at St. Emeric in Country Club Hills, Holy Name Cathedral, St. Christina Parish in Chicago and at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs. During these years, Mannion also served as a member of the diocesan clergy personnel board that assigned priests to different parishes.

Mannion served as pastor of St. Athanasius Parish in Evanston for 10 years, then led Our Lady of Hope as pastor from 1999 to 2008. As pastor emeritus, he continued to live at the parish and preside at Mass until last year.

Msgr. Kenneth Velo, who formerly lived at the parish and now serves as senior executive of Catholic Collaboration for DePaul University and co-chairman of the Big Shoulders Fund, will deliver the homily at Mannion's funeral.

"Fr. Mannion served the church of Chicago for 52 years," Velo said, "with humility, dedication and great love for the people entrusted to his care."

Visitation will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, before an 11 a.m. Saturday funeral Mass, both at Our Lady of Hope Church, 9711 W. Devon Ave.