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July 24, 2007
Rev. Paul J. Nelligan, S.J., longtime archivist and high school teacher, died July 24 in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, at 82.
An archivist at Holy Cross from 1988-96, Fr. Nelligan continued this work into retirement, serving as assistant archivist at Holy Cross, from 1996-99; archivist, New England Province of the Society of Jesus, from 1998-2005; and, assistant archivist of the New England Province, from 2005 until the time of his death.
Prior to coming to the College, he had been an assistant archivist at Boston College, from 1982-88, and assistant secretary of the Society of Jesus at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, from 1981-82.
Fr. Nelligan entered the Society of Jesus in 1941, after graduating from Boston College High School. Making his first vows in 1943 at Shadowbrook in Lenox, Mass., he pursued classical studies there for two years and philosophical studies at Weston (Mass.) College, from 1945-48. Fr. Nelligan earned his bachelor of arts degree in classical studies at Boston College in 1947 and his master’s degree in philosophy the following year. An instructor of classical studies, English and religion at Boston College High School, from 1948-51, he then returned to Weston College to study theology for four years; Fr. Nelligan was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 by then Archbishop of Boston (later Cardinal) Richard J. Cushing.
Earning his licentiate in theology in 1955, he taught at Boston College High School for one year before completing his tertianship at St. Robert’s Hall in Pomfret, Conn. Fr. Nelligan then returned to Boston College High School where he made his final vows in 1958 and taught Greek, Latin, English and history, from 1957-81.
Fr. Nelligan is survived by cousins.
Following is an excerpt from the homily delivered by Rev. Vincent A. Lapomarda, S.J., Holy Cross associate professor of history, at Fr. Nelligan’s funeral Mass, celebrated July 27 in the Mary Chapel:
Father Nelligan was a very gentle and gracious person … easily recognized on campus by administrators, faculty, and students in addition to the other personnel who are vital to the operation of the campus. He was generous and outgoing to whomever crossed his path as he made his way across campus, especially in his declining year, imparting to them a word of encouragement or lending a sympathetic ear. That he was so effective with the young men and women here, the students of the College, has been a real blessing for Holy Cross and the Society of Jesus. |
