Fr. William J. O' Halloran, S.J. "Rest In Peace"

In Memoriam: Rev. William J. O’Halloran, S.J.,

Special Assistant to the College President
Holy Cross is mourning Rev. William J. O’Halloran, S.J., special assistant to the College president, who died at Cape Cod Hospital, in Hyannis, on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, after an illness. He was 80 years old.

“The Holy Cross family lost a wonderful leader and friend with the passing of Fr. O’Halloran,”

said Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., the fourth Holy Cross president under whom he served. “He helped to shape the Holy Cross of today, a first-rate liberal arts college that remains faithful to its Jesuit and Catholic mission and tradition. He embodied the values of loyalty and care that are such an important part of our community life. Everyone — staff, faculty, students and alumni — treasured his warmth, attentiveness and good humor.” The son of the late Dorothy M. (Keegan) and Frank T. O’Halloran, he was born in Springfield, Mass., on Nov. 26, 1927. A graduate of LaSalle Academy in Providence, R.I., Fr. O’Halloran entered the Society of Jesus in 1945. He did his novitiate and juniorate studies in ascetical theology and the ancient classics at Shadowbrook Jesuit Seminary, in Lenox, Mass. Fr. O’Halloran earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in philosophy, from Boston College and received his Ph.D., in psychology, from Fordham University.

Fr. O’Halloran was ordained to the priesthood in 1958, in Senlis, France, and took his final Jesuit vows in 1963 at Fordham University.

Arriving at Holy Cross in 1963 as an assistant professor in the psychology department, Fr. O’Halloran was appointed the first chair of the department the following year. He also served as rector of the Jesuit Community at the College for six years. In 1976, Fr. O’Halloran became the sixth president of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, serving in this position until 1981 when he returned to Holy Cross to serve as director of relations with corporations and foundations. In 1984, he was appointed vice president of the College. He served in this office until he became special assistant to the president in 1998. In addition, Fr. O’Halloran served as a trustee of Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, LeMoyne College, Spring Hill College, Xavier University, Wheeling College, and Cheverus High School. A member of the Advisory Committee of the New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education, he was a trustee of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities of New York. He was also the managing editor of the Catholic Psychological Record and a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society, Eastern Psychological Association, Massachusetts Psychological Association (Fellow), Academy of Religion and Health, Sigma Xi, American Psychological Association, Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, and the Worcester Mental Health Planning committee.

A well-known presence on campus, Fr. O’Halloran frequently served as celebrant and homilist in St. Joseph Chapel

. He was responsible for writing the memorable citations for the College’s honorary degree recipients at commencement, as well as those for staff members honored at the annual employee recognition awards ceremony. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel on the Holy Cross campus. Calling hours will be held on Monday, March 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Mary Chapel (lower level of St. Joseph Chapel). Interment will be in the College cemetery.

Photo gallery of Rev. William J. O'Halloran, S.J.

Link (here)