Memories of Rev. Jerome Anthony Zalonis M.I.C

In memory of

Rev. Jerome Anthony Zalonis M.I.C

Putnam, CT, USA

June 27, 1932 - January 17, 2019

Jun 27, 1932 - Jan 17, 2019

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Helen French

Sending prayers to his family he was a great man he married my parents it's Saint Mary's he baptized by Brothers me he baptized my son. He will be deeply missed

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Lydia Krantz

Fr Jerry thank you from the bottom of my heart for your “FIAT” when we asked you if we could start Perpetual... Read more Fr Jerry thank you from the bottom of my heart for your “FIAT” when we asked you if we could start Perpetual Eucharist ic Adoration... Read more Fr Jerry thank you from the bottom of my heart for ... Read more

Cathy and Greg Sibenaller

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Father Jerry. We will always remember his great sense of humor. He was the epitome of a parish priest. Blessing.
Cathy and Greg Sibenaller

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Pam Streff

I will always be grateful for all his guidance in my teenage years. You will be missed.

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Michael Bocwinski

I will forever remember Father Jerry. His charisma and personality was one of a kind. I was an alter boy @ St. Peters service g with Father Jerry and will never forget when we were serving a funeral when the space shuttle disaster happened and he leaned over to me and said "the space shuttle just blew up". Til this day I am not quite sure how he knew that in real time other than he had a direct connection to God. He gave me my first communion and was a priest that we looked up to. I was Polish and he was Lithuanian so our family was close to him. God bless you Father Jerry, rest in peace and enjoy your time in heaven. Peace be with you.
Michael Bocwinski

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Birute Balciunas Schlecht

I will miss Father Jerry. He had a grest zest for life, truth and God. As a student at St. Peter's, he was a great father influence. I learned to be truthful, honest, and God loving from him. I learned to be attentive in church....not to talk to my friends otherwise I was admonished. I did not want to disappoint Father Jerry. He also pitched in to help us at all the Lithuanian Folk Fairs in Milwaukee for St. Peter's church. We worked hard and celebrated after. He was the greatest influence in my life. He and his German Shepherd were quite the pair.

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Peggy Ankney (née Perozzo)

Father Jerry was an influential part of my childhood. I was a student of Saint Peter’s in the ‘70’s, and ... Read more Father Jerry was an influential part of my childhood. I was a student of Saint Peter’s in the ‘70’s, and I will always remember... Read more Father Jerry was an influential part of my childhood.... Read more

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Deacon Dale Metcalfe

Thursday - January 17, 2019 - the angels and the people of God cried at the news of the death of Father Jerome Zalonis MIC - fondly known as Father Jerry. Ordained on May 23, 1959 - along with his twin brother - Father John Zalonis - Father Jerry served the Catholic communities of believers in numerous locations - his final assignment at St. Patrick Parish in Yorkville, Illinois. In his 60 years of priesthood - Father Jerry laughed - cried - comforted more people of all ages than can be counted. He will be missed by all who knew him. My first encounter with Father Jerry was in June 1988 - newly assigned to St. Mary Church in Plano, Illinois and St. Patrick Mission in Bristol, Illinois. I was nervous - a deacon candidate about to meet his new pastor for the first time. Opening his office door at St. Mary's rectory - my nervousness completely disappeared as I gazed at his darkly bearded face - an almost mirror image of my own darkly bearded face. At least he approved of beards - and after asking his one question - what did I preach on - a large smile and a laugh of approval - the beginning of a long friendship - he serving as my vesting priest at my ordination as a Permanent Deacon. Together - especially at St Patrick Mission - we built a parish community with numerous new programs - reaching out to the community - eventually constructing a new parish church in Yorkville - saw it officially designated as a parish - shedding 117 years of Mission status on February 15, 2002 by Bishop Joseph Imesch DD - Bishop of Joliet-in-Illinois Diocese.

Father Jerry was not afraid to offer correction to anyone who needed it - always with a smile and words of encouragement. Shortly after my ordination he politely told me to quit reading my homilies - instead to speak from my heart with the knowledge and love that he knew I had for Our Lord. Needless to say - my homilies improved very quickly - as did the length - a fact that became a private joke between us.

I am thankful that we were out east at Thanksgiving of 2018 - a time when my wife and I were able to visit him - to spend time talking about the ministry that we shared between the three of us - attending one final Mass together. His smile - permanently embedded in our hearts - he will never be any farther than our hearts and memories.

Rest in Peace - Good and Faithful Servant
Deacon Dale

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Arlene Metcalfe

Greg Moburg

So sorry for your family's loss of Fr. Jerry. My condolences to all of his family and friends.

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Comments:

Frank & Carol McKeever

This is a man who has been greatly missed. He was helpful to these two non-Catholics in so many ways over... Read more This is a man who has been greatly missed. He was helpful to these two non-Catholics in so many ways over the years. We remember... Read more This is a man who has been greatly missed. He was ... Read more

Cathy and Greg Sibenaller

Our deepest condolences to the family of Father Jerry. He was the epitome of what a parish priest He has... Read more Our deepest condolences to the family of Father Jerry. He was the epitome of what a parish priest He has truly been missed.... Read more Our deepest condolences to the family of Father Jerry.... Read more

William Brummel

Father Jerry thoroughly enjoyed the world he lived in but he never let anyone forget that IT WAS GOD'S WORLD.... Read more Father Jerry thoroughly enjoyed the world he lived in but he never let anyone forget that IT WAS GOD'S WORLD. When he first arrived... Read more Father Jerry thoroughly enjoyed the world he lived ... Read more

Dennis Vegel

I knew Father Jerry back from the days at St. Peter’s where I was a student and altar boy. He was an exemplary... Read more I knew Father Jerry back from the days at St. Peter’s where I was a student and altar boy. He was an exemplary priest who not ... Read more I knew Father Jerry back from the days at St. Peter’s... Read more