Rev. Richard Bonin dies February 16^th at the age of 85

Fr. Richard G. Bonin died Friday, February 16, 2007, at St. Therese Home in New Hope at the age of 85.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, February 24 at the Church of the Ascension, North Minneapolis with burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

Fr. Bonin was born October 25, 1921 in Minneapolis. He attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul; the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul; and Post-Theology at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul on June 8, 1946, at the Cathedral of St. Paul by Archbishop John Gregory Murray.

Following his ordination he served his first ten years of ministry in his home parish of the Church of the Ascension, North Minneapolis. He also served as pastor of St. Andrew in Granite Falls and St. James in Dawson. Father Bonin served as a priest for the Diocese of New Ulm from its inception on November 18, 1957 as pastor of St. Peter, Eden Valley; St. George, Glencoe; Holy Redeemer, Marshall; St. Peter, St. Peter; St. Michael, Gaylord; and St. Francis de Sales, Winthrop.

In addition to parish ministry, Father Bonin was Dean of the Marshall Deanery in the 1970’s and Council of Catholic Women Region Moderator for 33 years.

On June 19, 2002, he retired from active ministry and resided at the Leo C. Byrne Residence in St. Paul. He celebrated 60 years of priestly ministry with an anniversary Mass on July 30, 2006 at the Ascension Church.