Obituary of Bernard Clemens Surwilo

Bernard Clemens Surwilo

Age 75, of Joliet, IL and formerly of Geneva, IL and Honolulu, Hawaii, passed peacefully, Monday, July 17, 2017 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.  He was born March 8, 1942 to the late Josephine (Kijek) and Bernard Surwilo in Stamford, CT moving with his family to Illinois when he was eight years old.

He was the beloved brother of Sr. Rose Marie Surwilo, O.S.F. and special friend of Ron Bottcher and Sue Samuelson, both of Elgin, IL.

Bud, as he was known by everyone, found his calling in hospital work while volunteering at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Honolulu and felt it was his ministry.  He continued at Straub Hospital in Honolulu and when returning to Joliet, at St. Joseph’s now Presence St. Joseph’s in Joliet.

A lover of music, he played the accordion, organ and tuba and in later years loved listening to music and attending musicals with his friends.  Bud was a member of the Secular Franciscans and, although unable to be active in any fraternity, had a truly Franciscan heart.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Bud on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Ave. in Joliet.  Interment of his cremains will be private.  Memorials in his name to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate or Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home would be appreciated.  For information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com