Read Rev. Jerome Anthony Zalonis M.I.C's Obituary & Leave Condolences

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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Rev. Jerome Anthony Zalonis, M.I.C. passed away Thursday in Putnam, CT. He was born June 27, 1932, in Plymouth, PA, son of the late Andrew and Anna Gavenonis Zalonis, and was a 1950 graduate of Plymouth High School. He was also a graduate of LeGrand Seminary, Montreal, QC. He was ordained alongside his twin brother, Rev. John Andrew Zalonis, at the Marian Fathers Seminary, Clarendon Hills, IL by Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Brizgys of Kaunas, Lithuania on May 23, 1959.

Rev. Zalonis attended Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was first assigned to St. Mary’s parish in Plano, IL, with his cousin, Rev. Edward Vitchkoski in the 1960s. In the 1970s and early 1980s, he was pastor of St Peter’s parish in Kenosha, WI. After St Peter’s, he was transferred back to St. Mary’s parish in Plano, IL and St Patrick’s parish in Bristol, IL. Rev. Zalonis led the project of building a new church for St. Patrick’s in Yorkville, which was dedicated in 2002. Upon retirement, he moved to Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson, CT, and then to Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam, CT.

Rev. Zalonis was instrumental in his work to unite the Polish and Lithuanian provinces of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the 1990s. He devoted almost 60 years of his life in service to the Marians and the people of his parishes.

Fr. Jerry lived a full life during his 86 years with us. He was an avid fisherman, an accomplished bowler, world traveler, food lover and enjoyer of bourbon manhattans. He was a fan of the Chicago Bears, White Sox and Notre Dame football. He loved being involved in both St Mary’s and St Peter’s schools, and especially enjoyed the children’s masses and Christmas programs.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his twin, Fr. Jack, in Hartford, CT in 1996, and his cousin, Fr. Ed in Chicago, IL in 1990.

Fr. Jerry will be dearly missed by his sister, Sally McGovern and her husband William of Bardstown, KY; nephew Andrew McGovern of Bardstown, KY; niece Maggie McGovern and her husband, Steve Pierce of Georgetown, IN; great niece Cecilia McGovern, and great nephew, Jack McGovern; the brothers and priests of his order, the Marian Fathers; and many, many cousins, parishioners and friends.

A mass will be held Monday at 1:30PM at Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson, CT. Rev. Zalonis will lie in state at St. Patrick Church, Yorkville, IL from 3PM – 8PM on Thursday, and again on Friday from 9AM – 11AM. Vespers will be at 7PM on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11AM in St. Patrick, with lunch immediately following in the parish center. Interment will be in St Casmir Lithuanian Cemetery, Chicago, IL.

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