Joseph Anthony Ondus

1959 - 2013

Joseph Anthony Ondus, 53 years of age, and a resident of Quincy, Massachusetts, and formerly of Amherst passed away Monday, March 18, 2013 at the Cleveland Clinic following a sudden illness.
He was born May 16, 1959 in Longmont, Colorado. Joseph was raised in Amherst, graduating from Marion L. Steele High School in the class of 1977. He had lived in Detroit, Chicago, Canton, Cleveland, and New York before moving to Boston where he had made his home for more than 20 years.
Joseph continued his education receiving his BA in Communications at Borromeo Seminary in Euclid, Ohio. Joseph made himself available for the Lord's work with the Jesuit order. He furthered his education at Loyala University of Chicago receiving his BA in Philosophy, and New York University receiving his Masters in Educational Theater and Harvard University where he received his Masters of Divinity. Joseph was currently on the faculty of Syracuse University as an Adjunt. Professor. He worked as a high school teacher administering classes in Religion, Foreign Language, English and Speech for St. Ignatius High School and Walsh Jesuit High School in Canton. As well as Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA where he served as the campus minister. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Quincy, MA. Joseph was very active with charity work throughout the communities that he had lived and has a servant's heart, working at Christmas in the city for homeless children in Massachusetts, and the Convenant House for run away in New York. He was known to many for his great sense of humor and humanitarian works. His hobbies included cooking, theater and art. Joseph was very musical and played five instruments including the piano and was active with the community theater.
Survivors include his mother Nancy Ondus (nee: Knappage) of Amherst; his sisters and their husbands Ann V. and James Lisi of Avon Lake, Emily A. and Christopher Ambrosio of Avon; brothers Gregory Michael Ondus of Vermilion, Matthew A. Ondus and his wife Laurie of Rock Hill, SC, Peter A. Ondus and Philip Edward Ondus both of Amherst; 16 nieces and nephews; and three great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Albert Ondus on March 14, 1997, as well as sister Jennifer Ondus in 1959.
Services were held privately by his family.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Archbishop Williams High School; c/o Joseph A. Ondus Scholarship Fund; 40 Independence Avenue, Braintree, MA 02184-0218.
Hempel Funeral Home of Amherst is honored to serve the family of Joseph Ondus.
Additional information and online register book are available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.
Question, please call Hempel Funeral Home at (440) 988-4451.