Jesuit Father James O’Brien, a former Loyola Blakefield instructor, dies at 96 January 5, 2024By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries Jesuit Father James O’Brien, a Baltimore resident and former teacher at what is now Loyola Blakefield, died Dec. 23. He was 96. Father O’Brien, who spent five decades of his career at Wheeling Jesuit College in West Virginia, was a native of Philadelphia who attended seminary at Woodstock College in Maryland. While in formation, he taught Greek, Latin, history and religion at Loyola High School in Baltimore. He was ordained at Woodstock in 1960 before starting his tenure at Wheeling Jesuit in 1962. He started his collegiate academic career as a student at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia and became a midshipman at Pennsylvania Maritime Academy in 1945. He entered the novitiate at St. Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, Pa., in 1947, before earning degrees in history, philosophy and theology from West Baden College (Ind.) and Woodstock. He earned a doctorate in philosophy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. During his 53-year career at Wheeling Jesuit, he taught philosophy and ethics and served as a chaplain and counselor as well as a department chair. For 27 years, he moderated the alumni association and organized the first Appalachian Experience Student Club in 1978, which later became the Appalachian Institute to help West Virginians in need. The institute continues to promote research, service and advocacy with the people of the region. In 2015, Fr. O’Brien moved to the Colombiere Jesuit Community in Baltimore, where he served in pastoral ministry. He died several months after being inducted into the Wheeling, W.Va., Hall of Fame. Read More Obituaries Prolific catechist Paul Thigpen, who mused on extraterrestrial life, dies at 71 Jesuit Father Anthony Berret, distinguished English professor, dies at 86 Pallottine Father Peter Sticco, who served at St. Jude Shrine, dies at 84 Pallottine Father Robert J. Nolan, who served at St. Jude’s Shrine, dies at 86 Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84; Catholic leaders praise civil rights leader’s work for justice Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74 Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media Print
