The Rev. William J. Onushco, son of the former Stella and John Onushco and a parish son of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, was ordained on May 15, 1976, for the Diocese of Allentown.
He began his training for the priesthood at Don Bosco College, Newton, N.J. He completed his undergraduate degree at Pontifical College, Josephium, Columbus, Ohio.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. After graduation from the Josephium, he entered Mary Immaculate Seminary, North Hampton. He was awarded both the Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology degrees.
Father Onushco has served his ministries at the following Roman Catholic parishes: Sacred Heart, West Reading; Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally; St. Joseph, Pottsville; professor at Nativity BVM High School, head of theology, Pottsville, with residence at Mary Queen of Peace; Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; St. Margaret, Reading; St. Patrick, Pottsville; St. Francis, Allentown; Ss. Peter and Paul, Saint Clair (pastor); St. Nicholas, Weatherly (pastor); and St. Lawrence, Catasauqua (pastor).
In addition to his full-time teaching assignment, he was also regional coordinator of CCD for West Schuylkill County and regional vocation director for East Schuylkill County.
A member of the Marriage Preparation Dialogues in the Deanery, he also served on the visiting committee for Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Father Onushco taught homiletics for the Deaconate and was a special advocate for the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Allentown.
He was appointed to the Diocesan Board of Education and fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
After changing his residence to the Archdiocese of Miami, he was granted a continuance to exercise his ministry at parishes in need of assistance, predominately St. Gregory the Great, Plantation, Fla.
Father Onushco passed away having endured a lifelong bout with hypertension that resulted in kidney failure.
He is survived by a sister, Christine Bobal, and her three children, Andrew and Matthew Wanniski and Jennifer Wanniski Harlan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Interment will be in St. Ambrose Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Ambrose Endowed Cemetery Fund, St. Ambrose Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972-1495.