Fr. Richard J. Pighini, C.S.V., a Viatorian for 43 years, died Aug. 21 at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling. He was 79 years old. Fr. Pighini pronounced his first vows on July 12, 1980 and was ordained by Bishop Raymond Vonesh on April 27, 1985 at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee.
Fr. Richard attended Maine East High School in Park Ridge before earning a B.A. in Communication Design from University of Illinois and a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union, both in Chicago. From 1967 to 1969 he was a member of the Peace Corps in Hawaii. He taught at St Patrick’s grade school in Kankakee (1970 to 1978). He then taught religion at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee (1978-79) and Griffin High School in Springfield (1980-81 & 1985-1989). From 1984 to 1985 he served as deacon at St. Patrick Parish., Kankakee, returned to St. Patrick Parish in 1989 as Parochial Vicar and was named Pastor from 1994 to 2004. He then served as Pastor of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais from 2004 to 2018. He retired in residence at St. Patrick Paris in Kankakee 2018 before moving in 2022 to the retirement community at the Province Center in Arlington Heights. He was always known for his care for the liturgy, as well as the beauty of the gardens and landscapes of the parish grounds.
Fr. Pighini is survived by his sisters, Carlotta Polenzani of Prospect Heights and Claudette Schmied of Naperville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Justine Pighini.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais, before a Mass of Christian Burial takes place at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 at Maternity BVM Parish. Internment will take place at Maternity BVM Cemetery.