In Memorium

Brother John Thomas Blonski, 22 February 1983 – 7 June 2005

At death, a member of the Society of Saint John,

 A Religious Community of Priests and Brothers.

“Requiescat in Pace”

Reflection upon Magnificat del Madonna by Botticelli (above)

(Excerpt from John’s diary while in Rome, Italy, January to May, 2005) 

“As I have marveled over my encounter with this great artist’s work, it occurred to me that more than just symbolism or beauty came out of my analysis…

It was as though in its grandeur the artist had endowed this work with a certain life force or vivacity, a splendor that spoke forth at its conception, and continues to do so in our day…It is like looking into a portal of another world…It grants them ~ that have eyes to see ~ a mystic view of the world beyond; at the same time, it rebukes the viewer for being separated from its reaches.  The artwork judges us.  It shows us the faintness and temporality of our being…One characteristic of Sacred Art is its ability to move the viewer toward prayer.

Seeing the face of the Virgin Mary, at the least, incites me to contemplate the Heavenly Glory of Mary and the Bliss of the Beatific Vision.”

John Thomas Blonski – 25 February 2005

John Thomas Blonski, Neptune, New Jersey age 22 died in a drowning accident Tuesday, June 7th, while swimming in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where he attended The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.  He was working at school for the summer to help pay his college tuition.  He would have been a junior this coming September, where he was pursuing a Philosophy Degree.

Surviving are his parents, John and Rebecca Blonski, 4 brothers, 6 sisters, 3 nieces and 5 nephews: Bill and Kerry Tice, with their two children, Kayla and Megan; Robert and Carey McKnight, with their four children, Erin, Thomas, Ronan and Malachi; Sarah Blonski and her two children, Monica and Noah; Joshua Blonski, Emily Blonski, Zachary Blonski, Rebekah Blonski, Breanna and Brittany Burke-Blonski, and Samuel Blonski.  Also surviving is John’s maternal grandmother, Muriel Haithcock, 99 years, who resides with the family, and his paternal grandmother, Mary Blonski, of Rochester N.Y.  Also surviving is John’s birth-mother, Maria Guadalupe Baldarama, along with his surviving brothers and sisters, who reside in Juarez, Mexico.  Aunts, uncles and numerous cousins also survive him.

John was home-schooled during his grammar school years and graduated St. Gregory’s Academy, a private Catholic boy’s high school, Elmhurst, PA, 2001, that John dearly loved.   September 2001, he joined the Society of Saint John, an association of priests, clerics, religious, and laity.   John yearned to become a Roman Catholic Priest, and was actively pursuing this vocation.   At the time of his death he was a Religious Brother with the Society of St. John.

John was born in El Paso, Texas to a dear, poor, needy woman, Maria Guadalupe.  With the help of a Roman Catholic Priest, Father Rick Thomas, a pro-life Jesuit, whose ministry is to help poor Mexican people, the Blonski family adopted John from birth.     Father Rick Thomas resides in El Paso, Texas and is still active in his ministry to date.

John lived a full and joyful life, pursuing what he loved the most: the love of God. He had a thirst for knowledge and sought Eternal Truth.  He spoke Latin fluently, was studying ancient Greek, and had taught himself Italian.

He had traveled to England, and he recently returned from Rome, Italy, where he had spent his last semester studying with fellow students at The Thomas More Campus, from January until May.  John received Pope John Paul II’s blessing on numerous occasions, but was especially grateful to receive his final Easter blessing.  John stood in line for twelve hours to view the body of Pope John Paul II, and also attended his funeral Mass.   John was in Rome for the pronouncement of Pope Benedict XVI as the new Pope, and attended his installation Mass, where John received his Papal blessing.

The President of Thomas More College, Dr. Peter Sampo, described John as one of the finest young men he had ever met, not only having a great sense of humor, but a young man of great integrity and high moral virtue as well.

John was a Daily Communicant, and loved God with all his heart and soul, and prayed the Rosary daily.  He leaves behind family and many friends who love him dearly and will miss his tremendously.   Please pray for the repose of John’s soul, and his family here in New Jersey and in Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, the Blonski family respectfully requests that Masses be offered for the repose of John’s soul, either through the Society of Saint John, 706 Route 434, Shohola, PA 18458, Phone: 570-685-5168, or 570-685-5151, info@ssjohn.org; or John’s home parish, St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, 5 Shore Acres Avenue, Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, 732-787-1318.

Visitation will be:  The John Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ,. Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, June 13th St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, 5 Shore Acres Avenue, Middletown, New Jersey.  Family members and friends will gather at John Pfleger Funeral Home  June 13, 2005, 8:30 AM to pay their final respects.