Rev. Ronald R. Turcich, O.S.A. (1930 - 2013)
Rev. Ronald R. Turcich, O.S.A. died November 11, 2013. He was 83.
Ronald Richard Turcich was born April 8, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Lilian Turcich. He was Baptized June 8, 1930 at Assumption Catholic Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation October 29, 1941 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Chicago.
Ronald attended Assumption Grammar School, Chicago, for grades 1 through 3, then completed his elementary education at St. Rita Grammar School, Chicago. He is a 1948 graduate of St. Rita High School, Chicago.
He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 7, 1949. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 9, 1950 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1953.
He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1954. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest February 9, 1958.
Father Turcich earned an M.A. in Education from DePaul University, Chicago, in 1962 and an M.B. A.from Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1969.
He was assigned in 1958 to Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, where he was a Teacher and Vice-Principal. In 1972 he moved to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as Teacher and Vice-Principal. In 1976 he was named Principal of St. Rita Grammar School, Chicago.
Father Turcich returned in 1982 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, serving as Teacher, Counselor and Alumni Moderator. In 1985, while continuing to reside at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago, he became Principal of St. Paul the Apostle School, Joliet, Illinois. The following year, remaining Principal of St. Paul the Apostle, he moved to the Augustinian Friary at Providence Catholic High School, New Lenox, Illinois.
In 1987 Father Turcich was transferred to St. Joseph Parish, Pekin, Illinois, where he was Associate Pastor. In 1990 he was named Administrator of Sacré Coeur Parish, Creve Coeur, Illinois.
He became Associate Pastor of Divine Savior Parish, Norridge, Illinois, in 1991. In 1998 Father Turcich was named Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Douglas Michigan. He served in this position until March, 2009, when he was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he resided in semi-retirement. In August, 2010, he relocated to St. Rita Monastery, Chicago.
In February, 2012, Father Turcich suffered a stroke while visiting his brother in Florida. He was released from the hospital and returned to Chicago March 25, 2012. He received care at Mother Theresa Home, Lemont, Illinois, where he died during the evening of November 11, 2013.
Father Turcich is remembered as a caring priest whom people loved because he had time for them. Father Turcich’s picture was featured prominently in the posters and literature for the 2011 Retirement Fund for Religious campaign.
Funeral services will take place at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60620-5867:
Visitation: Friday, November 15, 3-9 p.m.
Saturday, November 16, 9-10 a.m.
Mass: Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m.
Burial: Following the Mass
Augustinian Plot
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
6001 W. 111th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
For more information, contact Heeney Laughlin Funeral Home, 708-636-5500.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032, or via secure online giving by visiting: midwestaugustinians.org/donate to support the care of the Augustinian men in formation and vocations outreach, the retired and infirm Augustinians, and the Augustinian missions in Peru.
