In Memoriam: Rev. Genaro Polendo Aguilar, C.S.C.

Rev. Genaro Polendo Aguilar, C.S.C., former alumni and athletics chaplain for Stonehill College, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was 74. 

“A compassionate priest and confrere who enriched the lives of so many, Fr. Genaro will be deeply missed," President John Denning, C.S.C., said. "I am profoundly grateful for his years of devoted service to the entire college community."

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Fr. Aguilar earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from St. Mary’s University in 1975. During his final semester, he entered the seminary for the Archdiocese of San Antonio and began theological studies at Oblate School of Theology before receiving permission to continue his coursework at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Master of Theology degree in 1977. He later earned a Master of Social Work from Boston College in 1989.

Fr. Aguilar joined the Congregation of Holy Cross, Eastern Province, entering the novitiate in Bennington, Vermont. He professed First Vows on August 11, 1979, and Final Vows on September 12, 1982. He was ordained a Holy Cross priest on June 18, 1983.

In addition to his service at Stonehill, Fr. Aguilar’s ministry included teaching and pastoral work at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Connecticut; St. Mary Parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Brighton-Allston Mental Health Clinic in Brighton, Massachusetts; Coyle & Cassidy High School in Taunton, Massachusetts; King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Ventura, California; and Holy Cross Village in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Stonehill College’s Chapel of Mary, with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. You may also livestream the service here. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery in Easton, Massachusetts.