Rev. Michael O'Kane, S.J.

   Michael O'Kane was born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland on July 12, 1849 and his parents came to Spencer, MA when he was only three months old. His early education was in Spencer schools and then he spent two years at Holy Cross before entering the Society of Jesus in 1867.    After a period of teaching at Georgetown and philosophical and theological studies at Woodstock College, MD he was ordained a priest in 1882. 
   He was Rector of the Jesuit Tertianship, Frederick, MD from 1887 until his appointment as President of Holy Cross in 1889. During his four years at Holy Cross he erected a dormitory-classroom building that bears his name. O'Kane Hall now houses a museum, theater and administrative offices. 
   After his presidency, Rev. O'Kane spent thirteen years on the Mission Band giving retreats and missions in the Northeast. A physical breakdown forced him to give up this work and he spent the remaining years of his life as parish priest in Boston and Philadelphia. 
   In December of 1917, a Jubilee celebration for his fiftieth year as a Jesuit was held at Holy Cross. Rev. O'Kane came from Philadelphia to attend it, and while here, was stricken with the illness that was to carry him off. He died at St. Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, on December 26, 1917 and is buried in the Holy Cross College Cemetery.

Link to papers of President O'Kane RG 12.11 (.pdf file)