Reverend William J. Benonis, Pastor Emeritus, Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, Swarthmore, died of metastatic liver cancer at Saint Mary Manor, Lansdale, on Friday, December 18, 2009.

Father Benonis was born on January 26, 1926, in Minersville, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late George J. Benonis and the late Lenore M. Liebner. Father Benonis attended Saint Patrick Parochial School, Pottsville, and Pottsville Catholic High School, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Benonis was ordained on May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O'Hara. Father Benonis served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Patrick Parish, McAdoo; Holy Rosary Parish, Reading; King of Peace Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Michael Parish, Chester. He also served on the Faculty at Saint John Neumann High School, Philadelphia, and Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia. In 1976, Father Benonis was appointed Pastor, Saint Michael Parish, Chester, where he served for four years. In 1980, he was appointed Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, Swarthmore, and named Pastor Emeritus in June 2001.

The service of the Transfer of the Body will be held at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Swarthmore, on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at 8:30 AM, followed by a viewing. His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Benonis at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Swarthmore, on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Richard R. Benonis, Reverend David Liebner, (Diocese of Allentown), Reverend Daniel J. Cavanaugh, Reverend Monsignor William J. J. O'Donnell, Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, and Reverend Karl A. Zeuner. Father Cavanuagh will be the homilist.

Father Benonis is survived by his brothers, George J. Benonis, Frederick J. Benonis, and Reverend Richard R. Benonis, and his nieces and nephews. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747