Rev. William J. Benonis, parish priest, teacher

The Rev. William J. Benonis, who served a number of parishes in the region and was on the faculty of two Philadelphia Catholic high schools, died of metastatic liver cancer Friday. He was 83.

Benonis, a priest for 57 years, was pastor emeritus of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, in Swarthmore.

A native of Minersville, Pa., he attended Pottsville Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He was ordained May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul by the Most Rev. John F. O'Hara.

He was on the faculty of St. John Neumann High School and Cardinal Dougherty High School.

He was parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, McAdoo, Pa.; Holy Rosary, Reading; King of Peace, Philadelphia and St. Michael, Chester.

He was appointed pastor of St. Michael's in 1976.

In 1980, he was named pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes and was named pastor emeritus in June 2001.

He is survived by three brothers, George J., Frederick J. and the Rev. Richard R.

Services: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. today at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Swarthmore, to be celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia.

The service of Transfer of the Body will be held at the church at 8:30 a.m. followed by a viewing.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.

- John F. Morrison