Father Ronald Mohnickey, T.O.R., a member of the TOR Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, was called home to the Lord on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the age of 82 in his 58th year of religious life. Fr. Ronald was born September 18, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history at Cleveland State University. He entered the TOR Novitiate in 1966, professed Simple Vows in 1967 and Solemn Vows in 1970. He earned a master’s degree from John Carroll University as well as a master’s in divinity from St. Francis Seminary in Loretto. Fr. Ronald was ordained a priest on May 15, 1971 by Bishop James Hogan at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona.
Following his ordination, Fr. Ronald started his priestly ministry teaching history and theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and Saint Francis College in Loretto for a total of six years. Fr. Ronald also embraced many additional roles throughout his ministerial career including parochial vicar, director of novices and campus minister and he was fortunate to experience different geographic areas like Virginia, western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Gaming, Austria, where he served for nine years. Upon his return from Gaming, he was assigned as the Parochial Vicar at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville, Texas where he served the parish and community for eight years before returning to Saint Francis Friary in Loretto in 2023 to start his retirement journey.
Throughout his life, Fr. Ronald had a love of music, especially the organ, which he played for many years. In his spare time, he also liked to find new adventures in travelling. He was well loved by all who met him with his witty sense of humor. He was able to spend most of his retirement with his brother friars at Saint Francis Friary, before his health declined and he was in hospice care at Hilltop Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Altoona.
Fr. Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Catherine (Gruss) Mohnickey. He was born on September 18, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is survived by his brothers Andrew and John and sisters Audrey Johnston and Rita Rawlings along with nephews, Jonathan and Mark Mohnickey, Walter and Andrew Johnston; nieces Courtney Mohnickey, Diane Beaver, Bonnie and Kelly Johnston and Anna Illieunelli along with numerous great nieces, nephews, cousins and his Franciscan Community.
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a Vigil Prayer Service was offered in loving memory of the departed. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, at St. Francis Friary, Mount Assisi, with the Reverend Patrick Whittle, T.O.R., as principal celebrant. Following the sacred liturgy, interment took place in the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto.