In Memoriam: Father Aloysius Graham
Forefather of the Loyola Department of Chemistry and beloved professor at Concordia for almost 30 years, Father Aloysius Graham died peacefully in Pickering, Ont., on August 20, 2012, at the age of 97 leaving a legacy with the Society of Jesus that extended over 78 years.
Born in St. Marys, Ontario, in 1916 to James Graham and Bridget Quigley, he was raised in London, Ont., where he attended De La Salle High School. At age 17, he entered St. Stanislaus Novitiate in Guelph where he pronounced his first vows.
A graduate of chemistry from the University of Toronto, he joined Loyola College in 1953 and established the first Loyola Department of Chemistry. He pronounced his final vows in the Loyola Chapel.
Father Graham remained at Loyola College for his academic career; first as professor, then department chair and finally as the dean of science. In 1974, he took on the role of vice-rector of the newly created Concordia University, the result of a merger of the college and Sir George Williams University, and principal of the Loyola Campus. He later became secretary of Concordia’s Board of Governors.
He assumed the role of Superior of the Loyola Jesuit Community in 1989, which he maintained for six years. After stepping down, Father Graham lived and worked at the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Lachine, Que., and then at St. Thomas More Parish in LaSalle, Que., while also occasionally serving in many parishes throughout the island of Montreal.
In declining health, he moved to the René Goupil House in Pickering, Ont., in early 2012, where he passed away on Tuesday.
Ever the gentleman, he was a kind, good-natured man who worshipped devoutly. He will be greatly missed by his many lay and Jesuit friends, and by the many parishioners he so selflessly served throughout the Montreal area.
“The Jesuits were such an important part of the Loyola community and Father Graham especially played an important role at the end of the Loyola and beginning of the Concordia period. I will miss him and his wry humour,” says Archivist Emerita Nancy Marrelli.
Services will be held in Ontario as follows:
Wake: Thursday, August 23, 2012, from 7 to 9 p.m.
St. Ignatius Chapel, Manresa Retreat House (2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering, Onto)
Funeral Mass: Friday, August 24, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., St. Ignatius Chapel
A memorial mass for Father Graham will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish (4455 West Broadway St.), Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.