Fairfield University Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President
It was the spring of 1966 and I had just completed my studies in philosophy at Weston College. Along with a group of my classmates, led by Mr. John Reboli, S.J., a Fairfield University graduate, we set out to see the world beginning with Fairfield. I still remember my first walk across the campus on that beautiful June afternoon. What a great arboretum! I thought to myself, but where are the school buildings?
We stayed in Gonzaga Hall with a group of Jesuits – Bellarmine Hall was far too small to hold the 70 or so members of the Jesuit community. We had a wonderful time, visiting NY City to see The Man from La Mancha and dining at the Three Bears Restaurant in Westport. At the end of that wonderful week, I set out for The Cranwell School in Lenox, Massachusetts where I would teach Math and live in a residence hall for the next three years.
In 1969, I moved to Providence, Rhode Island to study Math for a Master’s Degree at Brown University. It was then off to Rome for three years of Theology at the Gregorian University. And finally back to Cranwell to teach Math and Theology. When Cranwell closed in 1975, I decided to get another Master’s Degree at the Teacher’s College in New York City.
Degree in hand, I was assigned at the request of the principal, Fr. Jim Bowler, S.J., to teach Math at Fairfield Prep. I also asked the president, Fr. Fitzgerald, S.J. if I could live in a prefect’s room on Campion III. I remember Fr. Fitzgerald asking me if I would mind living on a women’s corridor. “No” I quickly responded with great enthusiasm. This would be one of the best years of my life.
The rest is history. In 1982 I left Fairfield to complete Tertianship in the Philippines. When I returned I was sent to BC High. At the end of the second year there and at the request of Fr. Kelley, S.J., I was asked to return to Fairfield Prep as the headmaster. After four years, he said that it was my time to go, and so I headed off to BC for a five year stretch in the Admission Office which I loved.
Then came another call from Fr. Kelley asking me to return to Fairfield as his executive assistant and here I am to this day. Now, after a number of falls and some heart work, I am going back to Campion Center (aka Weston College) where I started out some forty + years ago.
I leave Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep with a tremendous bundle of happy memories. May God continue to bless Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep. You will all be in my prayers. I hope to see you again soon.
