Mark Robert Paraday O.P.

1931 - 2023

Mark Robert Paraday, O.P., died July 5, 2023. He was born to Clinton and Sophie (née Stolowski) Paraday on December 11, 1931, in Chicago, IL. He completed elementary education at Longfellow and Nathanael Greene Schools and received his diploma from Kelly High School. On September 4, 1951, Robert entered the Dominican Order, received the habit and was given the religious name Mark. He made first vows as a cooperator (lay) brother on September 5, 1952. Br. Mark did internal work for the Dominicans in the kitchen and laundry until 1965 when he was sent as a missionary to Bolivia. For the next 41 years of his life, he served the poor of Santa Cruz and Cochabamba in varied ways: youth ministry, teaching, prison ministry, hospital chaplaincy and the charismatic renewal. Encountering the sacramental needs of the poor led him to study for the priesthood. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Institute and the Theological Institute of Higher Studies in Bolivia and was ordained on December 11, 1983. As a priest, Fr. Mark continued ministering to the poor while also serving in administration for the Dominican mission in Bolivia. He returned to Chicago in 2006 where he was assistant director for the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus until 2010. In 2011, he went into Limited Service at St. Pius V Priory. Recently, he moved to Bethesda Senior Care due to failing health. Fr. Mark is survived by his sister-in-law Barbara Paraday and sister Shelia Buckner as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10:30am at St. Pius V Parish, 1919 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago preceded by Office of the Dead at 10:00am. Interment at All Saints Cemetery to follow. Memorial Donations to the Dominican Friars, 1910 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608-2904 are greatly appreciated. For information visit Fr. Mark's memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com or 773-736-3833