Father John J. Rochford, 96, died June 1 at Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights. He was pastor emeritus of St. Emeric Parish, Country Club Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Joachim School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1947.

Father Rochford served as assistant pastor at St. Mark, St. Bartholomew and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect between 1947 and 1966.

He was then chaplain at Alexian Brothers Hospital, now Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center, in Elk Grove Village, for six years before being named pastor of St. Emeric Parish in 1972. He was named pastor emeritus in 1991.