Rev. Paul Nomellini

He was born on May 10, 1937, in Hancock, son of the late Paul and Doris (Ross) Nomellini. He graduated from Hancock High School with the Class of 1955.

While attending Suomi College, now Finlandia University, he worked for the J. C. Penney Store in Houghton. He received a bachelor of arts degree in education from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. He received a master of science degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, with a major in guidance and counseling. He had extensive experience in assisting individuals in the treatment of alcoholism.

On Aug. 16, 1961, he pronounced his First Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience at St. Joseph’s Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, Ind. He served the Church as a Holy Cross Brother, teaching at the high school level in Chicago for 13 years prior to hearing the call to the priesthood. Father Nomellini attended Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Ma., from 1973 to 1976.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1977, by Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock. After ordination, he was assigned as assistant pastor at St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette. In 1978, he was assigned as chaplain to Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie, and as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1980, he served as administrator of Nativity Parish in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1981, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary & St. Joseph in Iron Mountain, as well as Ordinary Confessor to the Carmelite Community in Iron Mountain.

In 1983, he was appointed pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Rudyard, and Holy Family Mission in Barbeau. In 1986, Father Nomellini was appointed pastor at St. Michael Parish in Marquette. Father Nomellini took a leave of absence in 1988 to teach at St. Edward’s School in Cleveland. In 1989, Father Nomellini returned to the diocese and was appointed as temporary administrator of St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish. Later that year, Father Nomellini was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Schaffer, St. Michael Parish in Perronville, and St. Joseph Mission in Foster City. Father Nomellini was appointed as pastor at St. George Parish in Bark River, in 1990.

In 1993, he was appointed Pastor, St. Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Kingsford, as well as Ordinary Confessor to the Carmelite Community. He continued to serve at St. Mary Queen of Peace Parish, until July 1, 2002, when he was granted senior priest status. He served as chaplain of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra Club and was a member of the St. Joseph Association Board after his retirement. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and served as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, Council 01585 of Iron Mountain-Kingsford.

He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Pera; her children, Brian (Jennifer) Pera and their son, Alex Pera, and Julie (Rick) Rickard and their daughter, Alyssa (Tyler) Roose; a brother, Ross (Vickie Salo) Nomellini; his brother-in-law, James Zip Parker and his children, Jason (Andrea Felke) and their daughters, Carolyn, Jillian and Addilynn and Joy (Parker) Laitinen (Eric) and their children, Parker and Ashley Laitinen; as well as many cousins.

Father was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Leno and Doris Marie (Ross) Nomellini; his younger sister, Delores “Lori” (Nomellini) Parker; and brother-in-law, Dennis Pera.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be scheduled in May, 2021. Further details will be announced at a later date. He will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Nomellini’s name may be made to the St. Joseph Association (the priests’ retirement fund) of the Diocese of Marquette.

Condolences to the family of Reverend Paul Nomellini may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.