Jack was born on September 23, 1929 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He entered the Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus on September 4, 1956 at Milford, Ohio. Jack was ordained on June 17, 1965 at Colombiere Center and pronounced final vows on December 7, 1975 at the University of Detroit High School.
Before entering the Society, Jack graduated from Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland (1947) and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Management) from John Carroll University (1951). After graduating from John Carroll, Jack served in the Army for two years. He attended radar school at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas (1951-1952) and was assigned to the Headquarters Battery 77th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California (1953). After his honorable discharge from the Army, Jack was a cost account supervisor at Brush Electronics in Cleveland (1953-1955) before he took a position with Archor Motor Freight Inc. in Detroit as an accountant and office manager (1955-1956).
While in the Society, Jack earned a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota (1974).
During Regency, Jack taught math at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland (1961-1962). After ordination, he was a student counselor and taught math and religion at St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo (1966-1974; he made Tertianship during the 1972-1973 academic year.). In 1974, Jack experienced the desire to direct individuals in the Spiritual Exercises and spent a year directing retreats at Colombiere Center. After becoming a very proficient retreat director, Jack spent a year as a student counselor at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (1975-1976) before spending ten years as a campus minister in John Carroll University's Campus Ministry department (1976-1986; he was director of the department from 1980-1986).
The provincial decided that Jack's personality and counseling skills would help him to be a great Detroit Province Vocation Director. Jack spent six years (1986-1992) helping men to discern their vocations and, if appropriate, apply to the Society of Jesus. When he completed his time as vocations director, Jack spent a year as the Detroit Provincial Assistant for Pastoral Ministry.
In 1993, Jack was appointed pastor of Gesu Parish in University Heights, Ohio. He had to start his pastorate early due to the sudden death of his predecessor, Fr. Bob McAuley. During his seven years as pastor, Jack raised funds for and directed a major building program entitled "Building the Future in Faith". This was the first major capital campaign in over thirty years and included the relocation of the Sisters of Notre Dame into a house purchased on the corner of Meadowbrook and Glendon, remodeling the former convent to become the new Educational Center, the building of a new Family Center which included a gym, classroom space, and a chapel adjacent to the church.
In 2000, Jack returned to his high school Alma Mater as a faculty/staff and parent chaplain. Using his pastoral presence and spiritual direction gifts, Jack spent eight years helping men and women to encounter Christ (and God's love) in their lives. Jack also was the rector of the Saint Ignatius Jesuit Community (2003-2007).
Jack was missioned to Walsh Jesuit High School (2008-2015) where he worked on the Mission and Identity team and was director for one year (2008-2009). In 2015, Jack was missioned to Colombiere Center to perform community service and to care for his health.
Jack had a deep love of Christ and the Society of Jesus. He was a good listener and was able to put people at ease -- they felt welcomed and appreciated in Jack's presence. Jack was a devoted friend. He had a good sense of humor and would often laugh at himself and his experiences. He was deeply rooted in Ignatian Spirituality and wanted others to have the experience of encountering Jesus through the Spiritual Exercises. He was generous with his time and talents. All of these qualities helped to make Jack a great spiritual director, pastor, and superior/rector.
Jack started (and ran) the Spirituality Program for Adults at Walsh Jesuit High School. This 8-week group retreat based in the Spiritual Exercises offers faculty/staff members and parents/alumni the opportunity to gather weekly for Mass, a talk, and a discussion among the group. Jack touched the lives of countless people through his homilies, his retreat talks, and his spiritual direction.
Jack was a life-long fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns. Finally, Jack had a great love of the outdoors: trips to Omena (Michigan), camping in Canada and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, biking, canoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. He loved seeing the fall colors in northern Michigan and the cherry blossoms. He delighted in watching bodies of water (especially the ocean when possible) and loved to pray while walking the beach.
Suffrages: As we remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God's people, we are reminded of our privilege and obligation to offer Masses and prayers for his eternal repose. All members of the USA Midwest Province and those applied to it are to offer one Mass intention for Jack. Members of the Colombiere Jesuit Community will offer one additional Mass intention. All will wish to remember Jack in their prayers and Masses.
Memorial (Cleveland):
Thursday, November 14, 2019
7 p.m.
Gesu Church, University Heights
Wake:
Sunday, October 20, 2019
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Prayer Service 7:00 p.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015
Mass of Christian Burial:
Monday, October 21, 2019
10:45 a.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015
Burial Service:
Immediately following the funeral
Condolences:
Colombiere Jesuit Community
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015