Father John Walter Roller, 91, died June 28. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect.

Born in Chicago, he attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

After ordination, he was assistant pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein; St. Luke, River Forest; St. Ann, Lansing; and St. Benedict (Irving Park Road). He was associate pastor of St. Athanasius, Evanston, and St. Theresa, Palatine.

Father Roller went on to become pastor and then pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect. He served as a retired resident at St. Thomas Becket and St. Emily in Mount Prospect. Roller celebrated his 65th anniversary and completed his final Mass on May 3.

Father Michael Grzesik, an archdiocesan priest and friend of Father Roller, said he remembers the love and respect he received from the communities he served, and he remembers Father Roller’s boisterous and authoritative voice.

“When he spoke, people listened,” Grzesik said. “When he gave homilies, he told great stories and he engaged the people and really brought them closer to Christ.”