Fr. Robert Rudolph Vanoncini

Rev. Robert Rudolph Vanoncini, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dos Palos, CA, for over twenty years, was born in Santa Barbara, CA, on May 14, 1938, and passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Merced, CA on Thursday, January 22, 2015.

"Father Van" as he was known by parishioners in Dos Palos, was raised in Fresno, living within and attending St. Therese Parish. He attended San Joaquin Memorial High School from 1950 to 1955, Ryan Seminary under the Jesuit teachers, from 1955 to 1957, St. Johns College in Camarillo from 1957 to 1959, and St. John's Seminary, Camarillo, from 1960 to 1963. He was ordained for the Diocese of Monterey/ Fresno on May 1, 1963, at St. John's Cathedral.

His first assignment was to the St. Angela Parish in Pacific Grove, CA, as assistant pastor. After the Diocese of Monterey/Fresno was divided into two Sees in 1967, Father Robert held many assignments within the Diocese of Fresno, including St. Anthony Catholic Church in Reedley, CA; St. Joseph Catholic Church in Firebaugh, CA, from 1968 to 1973; St. Anthony in Reedley, again, from 1973 to 1983; St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kerman, CA, from 1983 to 1988; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in California City, CA, including it's Mission of St. Joseph in Boron, from 1988 to 1994; and finally Sacred Heart in Dos Palos, CA, from 1994, until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles J. and Katherine Vanoncini; his cousin, Bishop Michael Kenny of Juneau, AK; and aunts and uncles, Jeanne Edson, John Eachus, and Esther Kenny.

He is survived by his brothers, Charles and his wife Diane of Walnut Creek, CA, and David and his wife Diana of Fresno; and his nieces and nephews, Robert Vanoncini, Laura Pera, David Vanoncini, John Vanoncini, and Jill Vanoncini, all of the bay area.

Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Dos Palos on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Dos Palos on Thursday, January 29, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Peter's Cemetery.