More on Uncle Bill

The death notice we sent to the Tribune:

Hogan, Bill

The Rev. Bill Hogan, a former Roman Catholic priest in the Chicago
archdiocese, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Chicago. Throughout his life,
Bill was guided by a fierce sense of justice and bore witness to his faith
by living Christ's injunction in Matthew 25 to comfort and lift up all his
brothers and sisters. Bill was born in Chicago on Jan. 9, 1927, the son of
Edward D. and Anne O'Malley Hogan. He attended St. Kilian's School before
following his vocation at Quigley Preparatory and St. Mary of the Lake
seminaries.

He was ordained in 1952 and assigned to Holy Angels parish on Oakwood
Boulevard. He subsequently served at St. Martin de Porres, St. George on the
Ryan, and Our Lady of Lourdes, all in the city. But Bill's work as an agent
of Christ stretched far beyond the congregations he served. He carried his
faith into the major social and political struggles of our time: the
movements to establish civil rights and economic justice for all, to stop
the Vietnam War, and to end the evil of nuclear arms. This part of Bill's
ministry took him from Chicago's South Side to Selma and Montgomery,
Alabama, to Washington and far beyond; it also put him into conflict with
both civil and religious authorities; he was arrested many times during
protests and suspended by the Chicago archdiocese.

Eventually reinstated, he decided to continue his work outside the church, and married. He taught
briefly in Chicago high schools before finding his next professional
calling, working in Cook County's adult probation department. He was
enthusiastic, stimulating, challenging, brilliant, and steadfast in all his
roles in life: priest, husband, stepfather, brother, uncle, friend,
colleague, adviser, ally, parishioner and choir member (at St. Bride's in
his adopted South Shore neighborhood). Most of all, his life reflected a
deep and abiding optimism. Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie Bartholomay,
and stepson Jeff and stepdaughter Katie Bartholomay; by his brother-in-law,
Steve Brekke; by his cousin, Jack Fitzgerald; by niece Ann Brekke and nephews Chris, John and
Dan Brekke; and by great-nephews and -nieces in Chicago, Brooklyn, N.Y., and
Berkeley, Calif. Bill was the last surviving of six siblings: brothers Dick,
Tom, and Ed, all priests, and John; and one sister, Mary Alice Hogan Brekke.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at
St. Bride's Church, 7811 S. Coles Ave., Chicago (773 731-8822), with a
prayer and memorial service from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be
said at St. Bride's at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Bill gave to many, and it
would be fitting for his friends to make donations in his memory to causes
of their choice.

Remember Bill: "Keep your eyes on the prize."

Last update: 6/30/04; 11:36:10 PM.