December 29, 2018
(Updated, Jan. 1, 2019) This is to inform you that FR. WILLIAM J. MCGARRY, S.J. died about 6 pm, December 29, 2018 in The Medical City, Pasig City. He had long been suffering with pulmonary ailments and needed regular oxygen. Fr. Bill was brought to TMC about 4 p.m., but his lungs and heart soon gave out. He entered the Society in 1945 and was ordained to the presbyterate in 1958.
The wake begins this evening in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies, Loyola Heights, Q.C. Daily wake Masses at 8 p.m. The funeral Mass is scheduled there too, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, 2 January. Interment follows in the Province cemetery at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, Q.C.
Requiescat in pace.
BIOGRAPHY OF FR. WILLIAM J. MCGARRY, S.J.
By Sch. Amado T. Tumbali, S.J., Asst. Province Archivist
Fr. William John McGill McGarry, S.J. was born on 15 February 1928 in Brooklyn, New York. He had his basic education at St. Anthony of Padua, Brooklyn and Xavier High School, New York City.
Fr. Bill entered St. Andrew-on-Hudson Novitiate, Poughkeepsie, New York on 14 August 1945, where he also did his Juniorate (1947-49). Afterwards, Philosophy was at St. Louis University in Missouri, leading to an AB in Classics and Licentiate in Philosophy (1949-52). He taught Latin, Religion, American History, German, English, and Geography during Regency at Loyola School in New York (1952-55). Theology was at Woodstock College, Maryland (1955-59), where he got an S.T.L.. On 20 June 1958 he was ordained a Deacon in Fordham University Chapel, Bronx by Most Rev. Joseph Pernicone, Auxiliary Bishop of New York. The following day, his and his batch were ordained to the presbyterate by His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York. Philippine Province Jesuits ordained with him included Frs. Eladio Borja, Miguel Casals, Francis Glover, Asterio Katigbak, John Phelan, Joseph Roche and William Schmitt. He then proceeded to Tertianship at Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York (1959-1960) and later pronounced Final Vows on 2 February 1963 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
After Tertianship, Fr. Bill was assigned to Pohnpei. After studying the language and culture for two years, he became Pastor of Kitti (1962-67), Asst. Pastor of Kolonia (1967-69), and then, Pastor and Local Superior of Pohnpei (1969-73). With thirteen years of experience in Micronesia, he was appointed Regional Superior while serving as Pastor of Awak (1973-80). His next assignment was Manila, where he was President of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia (1980-86) and likewise its Treasurer (1982-86). He returned to Micronesia to become Episcopal Vicar of the Vicariate of Pohnpei-Kosrae (1986-90) of the Diocese of Carolines-Marshalls under Most Rev. Martin Neylon, S.J. Fr. Bill also was Coordinator of inter-parish activities (1986-88).
Sent back to Manila again, he became the founding Rector (1990-96) of Arrupe International Residence on the Ateneo de Manila Campus. He had two co-formators, Frs. James Meehan and Peter Kim [MAS], and 20 formands—coming from diverse Provinces/Regions: Malaysia-Singapore, Micronesia, Thailand, Philippines, Germany, and Indonesia. Fr. Bill was also AIR’s Treasurer (1991-92) and Minister (1991-93). After AIR, he returned to Micronesia, becoming again Episcopal Vicar for Pohnpei-Kosrae (1996-2001).
Once more, he came back the Philippines, this time for good. Fr. Bill served as Assistant Tertian Director to Fr. Roger Champoux for the Assistancy’s program based in Loyola House of Studies (2001-10). After that he stayed on at LHS, ministering to both Jesuits and lay. Since 2012, failing health brought him to the Lucas Infirmary, then to the new Jesuit Health and Wellness Center (2016 until death). He still managed pastoral ministry, especially spiritual direction and conversation, until pulmonary ailments made this difficult.
About four in the afternoon of 29 December, Fr. Bill was rushed to The Medical City, Pasig City with breathing difficulties. He expired two hours later from respiratory failure, secondary to pneumonia. His wake is in LHS’s Oratory of St Ignatius, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. on 2 January. Internment follows at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches after the Mass.