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William Faherty Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William Faherty
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Julia Connolly
May 10, 2024
To the family of Fr. Faherty: I just learned about Fr. Faherty and the profound imprint he left in our world. I understand his grandparents came from County Galway. My paternal great grandmother was Bridget Faherty. My father and mother were both from parts of Connemara. Bridget is shown on the 1901 census as being a widow living with my grandparents, Martin Conneely and Margaret Collins. I have a hunch that my great grandmother was related to him, but I don't know the names of his grandparents or which part of County Galway they came from. Is anyone in your family doing family history and might be able to help me to determine a connection? If so, can you text me at 630 780 9419 so we can explore this? I have no other way to reach you. I just bought a hardback copy of his book regarding the Irish in St. Louis. I really hope that I am correct and he (and you) are related. It would be an honor for me to be related to such a fine human being and knowledgeable historian. I have no doubt that when he arrived home, Our Lord said: "Well done, my loyal servant. You have a place of honor at the banquet table." I hope to hear from you either way. God bless. Julia Connolly
Barbara Beste Esstman
August 19, 2021
As my granddaughter begins her freshman year at SLU, I wish her a teacher as amazing as Father Faherty.
David H. Corcoran, Sr., Ph.D. (History)
August 17, 2021
Father Faherty, S.J. was always an inspiration to me. He really valued his teaching to us Graduate Students, and he was my MA Degree in History/Economics/Political Science Chair and Advisor. He was much more than that as he took me ice skating with his lifelong St. Louis friends during my Grad School year. A great relief from my study regimen. A great Jesuit in the truest sense of the word. May God abundantly bless him! WBF, SJ: RIP
Tony Dolce
August 17, 2020
Nini, As we approach the 9th anniversary of Fr. Faherty's death we know that he, Louise and Shelia are together. He will always be remembered thru his books and will live thru you.
David Corcoran, Sr., Ph.D.
August 18, 2019
Dear Readers of Common Purpose,
I know of no other teacher or professor at St. Louis University or otherwise who has had such a lasting impact on my life and career. Always cheerful of person, knowledgeable of history, and kind of heart to his students, Fr. Faherty, S.J. lived his priestly vows with enthusiasm for about 2 weeks short of 80 years. Most importantly, he touched the lives of not only people in St. Louis with his many books on that subject, but also fans across the United States and possibly beyond.
When finding out that I would be teaching history at the old Nazareth College of Kentucky, he told me that I'd find "International Student Day Every Day at Nazareth" because of 30 percent of the student body being of foreign birth. He was right and they added such diversity to that campus before "diversity" was even in style.
Years later, he got a panel together on "Catholic Newspapers in History" for the American Catholic Historical Society's Convention in Louisville, Ky. He asked me to comment on the scholarly presenters, which I did. His humor came through during this session, as well as his intimate knowledge of newspaper history. i threw a few curve balls at the presenters myself, as well all in good humor, of course.
For many years later, we would meet regularly at Homecomings or whenever I could get to St. Louis from West Virginia. Perhaps I was the last person to take him out to see his old seminary of St. Stanislaus in Ferguson, I believe. He had a wonderful time that day even though wheelchair bound, but telling me, "Go in and see this, that and the other thing of keen interest to his fond memories of those special places in his early seminary life.
Father Faherty, S.J., Ph.D. do RIP, and be aware that you and my other Jesuit teachers and friends are in my prayers nightly.
St. Louis University Knights of Columbus
April 22, 2012
To the FAHERTY FAMILY and his
brother members of the JESUITS:
Please know of our prayerful sympathy on Fr. William B. Faherty, S.J.'s passing.
His generous support, scholarship and promotion of ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY and all things connected with our City and Archdiocese will always be remembered!
We have provided some Masses in his memory at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE CHURCH at St. Louis University Frost Campus to honor his remarkable priesthood and zeal for public service.
May he Rest in Peace--and he is prayerfully remembered by all of us in the Knights of Columbus Council of his college alma mater!
Sincerely,
Matt Rea
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
Knights of Columbus
St. Louis, MO
Jim Lee
December 12, 2011
Fr. Faherty was a co-worker of my father at the Queen's Work and a frequent guest at my parents' home both in Shrewsbury and Springfield. Somewhere is a photograph of "Barb" riding one of our horses on the farm.
I always had tremendous respect for Father Faherty, although in my youth I felt he was the kind of guy who, when asked what time it was, would tell you how to build a watch.
I believe that my interest in social justice was kindled by Fr. Faherty and others like him (Dismas Clark, Daniel Lord) who worked with my father and taught me so much.
Jim Lee son of Bob and Mary Lou Lee
Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee
September 22, 2011
To the Family and Colleagues of
FR. WILLIAM BARNABY FAHERTY, S.J.:
We the members of the St. Louis ST. PATRICK's DAY DOWNTOWN PARADE COMMITTEE salute the memory and mourn the loss of our longtime friend,patron and past Grand Marshal, FR. WILLIAM B. FAHERTY, S.J. He will be remembered in the upcoming St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown St. Louis on March 17, 2012.
Fr. Faherty's dedication to the Irish heritage of St. Louis and the heritages of other ethnicities was astounding--and his personal, priestly and historical talents did much to bolster, renew and chronicle the life of our fair city and the contributions of the Irish and Irish-Americans who live(d) here.
His book, "The St. Louis Irish," among the more than 50 that he penned as a distinguished national and local historian, will continue to be a proud resource for many St. Louisans who share or admire his cultural heritage.
May God Grant Fr. Faherty eternal peace and rest, with the friendly sons and daughters of St.Patrick here and abroad! They will prayerfully remember him.
Sincerely,
The Downtown
ST. PATRICK's DAY
PARADE COMMITTEE
St. Louis, MO USA
Brendan Carmody
September 22, 2011
We'll really mourn your passing, Fr. Faherty, for being one of the best students, teachers and priests
St. Louis University ever produced!
May God Rest Your Soul!
Brendan Carmody
WBF Friends at BEST STEAK HOUSE
September 18, 2011
We'll really miss Fr. Bill Faherty, who was a great friend and customer for us for more than 30 years. His many SLU alumni and friends will toast his memory here.
ALL FR. WBF's FRIENDS at
BEST STEAK HOUSE
Grand and Washington Aves.
St. Louis University Alumni Assn
September 15, 2011
Dear Faherty Family and
Father's Jesuit Colleagues:
Please know of the sincere sympathy of the ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSN on the passing of longtime St. Louis University history profesor and Jesuit priest Rev. William Barnaby Faherty, S.J.
Father Faherty will be remembered at this year's SLU HOMECOMING on Sept. 22, as well as the University ALL SOULS MASS on November 2nd.
His more than 50 years service to St. Louis University, the region, the nation and its many cultural,sporting, scientific and religious institutions as a skilled, professional historian will long be appreciated by many
SLU Alumni and the community at large--past, present and future.
May Father Fahery rest in peace--and may his treasured memory remain vibrant in the halls of St. Louis University for years to come!
Homecoming 2011 Committee
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSN
St. Louis, Missouri
DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS Executive Board
September 12, 2011
To the Faherty Extended Family:
The Officers and Board of DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS, INC., extend their sincere sympathy on the death of noted St. Louis historian, sportsfan and downtown enthusiast FR. WILLIAM B. FAHERTY.
In all of FR. FAHERTY's more than 50 books, as well as in his many news commentaries and radio show appearances, his steadfast support for the rejuvenation, restoration and reinvigoration of Downtown St. Louis and the region were major themes for which we are grateful for his ongoing support through his 60-plus year academic and professional career.
Know of our appreciation, esteem and sympathy on the passing of a dynamic and astute St. Louisan who supported his hometown for many years to a national and international audience.
May he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of
DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS, INC.
Tony Dolce
September 8, 2011
Nini, Sheila and Family, Louise and Barnaby are together again and there are no tears. We miss them and pray TO them.
MAYOR's OFFICE City of St. Louis
September 6, 2011
To the FAHERTY FAMILY:
The Mayor and Staff of the Mayor's Office of the City of St. Louis wish to convey their deep sympathy on the passing of FR. WILLIAM B. FAHERTY, S.J., a proud son of St. Louis and one of its preeminent historians. We were honored to lend the official flag of the City of St. Louis to his funeral services. He will truly be missed!
Father Faherty's lengthy contributions to the chronicling and development of the distinguished history of the City of St. Louis will be long remembered by many of the regions citizens--present and future.
MAYOR's OFFICE
City of St. Louis
SLU Alumni Friends of FR. WILLIAM B. FAHERTY
September 5, 2011
To the FAHERTY FAMILY:
Know of our deepest prayerful sympathy on the passing of former St. Louis University professor and friend FR. WILLIAM BARNABY FAHERTY, S.J. He was a vigorous role model for many of my fellow SLU alums and this writer who had him as a history instructor, mentor and friend for more than 40 years of classroom teaching here.
His long-term impact on St. Louis in its historical role for Church, State and Nation will long be remembered by many! Fr. Faherty's historical grasp even reached to Outer Space with his work for NASA--something he could not have envisioned when he started his historical career!
May God Grant Him Eternal Rest--and a much deserved reward in Heaven for his dynamic priestly, scholarly and community work! Fr. Faherty will be remembered by us with Masses for his happy repose at St. Francis Xavier College Church on the St. Louis University Campus.
Sincerely,
M.S.K. and Fellow SLU Alumni
Friends of ST. JOSEPH SHRINE
September 4, 2011
To the FAHERTY FAMILY:
Know of the prayerful remembrance and appreciation of the FRIENDS of ST. JOSEPH SHRINE on the passing of our long-term distinguished supporter, patron, friend and (occasional) priest-celebrant, Fr. William B. Faherty, S.J.
Father Faherty's support for the continuance and ongoing operation of the SHRINE will be remembered by all of us in the "Friends of St. Joseph Shrine" who are having some Masses said here at our historic downtown church for his repose---"The Church of Miracles."
Father Faherty's stories about our history and the history of our City and Catholic Archdiocese will long be appreciated by present-day St. Louisans and generations yet to come.
Know of our prayerful remembrance and appreciation for FATHER FAHERTY's remarkable life, career and friendship with ST. JOSEPH SHRINE. May he continue to "look out" for us from Heaven!
Sincerely,
Ralph Kannady, President
FRIENDS of ST. JOSEPH SHRINE
ST. LOUIS AMBASSADORS
September 4, 2011
To the Fahertys and His Colleagues:
Know of our deepest sympathy on the passing of FR. WILLIAM BARNABY FAHERTY, S.J., distinguished St. Louisan and professor of history at St. Louis University. His insights, understanding, and broad historical overview of our community will long be remembered--as well as his constructive analysis of our past as well as our future!
We also salute FR. FAHERTY's consistent promotion and boosterism on behalf of the future of St. Louis as well.
His esteemed memory is saluted by his friends in the ST. LOUIS AMBASSADORS! May he rest in peace!
ST. LOUIS AMBASSADORS
Cabanne House--Forest Park
St. Louis, MO
ANCIENT ORDER of HIBERNIANS of Greater St. Louis
August 30, 2011
To the "Clan Faherty":
Know of our prayerful remembrance of our Brother Hibernian and noted Irish-American historian, Father William Barnaby Faherty, S.J. As a proud son of Ireland, son of St. Louis, and worthy Jesuit Priest, he was a credit to the Irish Heritage here and worldwide through his dynamic Priesthood, historical scholarship and extensive civic and national community involvement.
Many of our members from the Greater St. Louis Area were privileged to be at his funeral Mass on Wednesday evening to recall his spiritually fruitful life and dedication to the Church and the metro St. Louis community.
Rest in Peace, Father Faherty, and know you will be remembered by the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Greater St. Louis with our Masses and prayers!
Sincerely,
Bereavement Committee
ANCIENT ORDER of HIBERNIANS
St. Louis, Missouri USA
Keith Beutler, Ph.D.
August 30, 2011
Father Faherty was a wonderful human being and historian. All who knew him were blessed by the experience. He is deeply missed.
David Corcoran, Ph.D.
August 26, 2011
Dear Friends of Father,
Since my first note a few days ago, I've been taking Father Faherty's death quite hard. I think that's so because about 2 months before his passing, he called me to invite me to his 80th anniversary of entering the Jesuit Order. I was really looking forward to that Sept. 10 reunion at St. Ferdinand's church. I wish he'd lived those 20 extra days, but God, I know, had better plans for him.
His devoted student, Dave Corcoran, Ph.D. (History)
Teresa
August 26, 2011
I only recently became acquainted with the historical literary work of Father Faherty...such solid and precise analysis of so much of the St. Louis area! He will live on in my life as an example to work towards.
August 25, 2011
John and I remember Father for his kindness and unfailing interest in everyone he met. Visiting him in the hospital we were introduced to every hospital staff who entered the room. He was a gentleman in the finest sense of the word. A great loss to the Catholic world and to everyone in St. Louis. Mary Ann and John O'Connell
August 24, 2011
To the Jesuit Community,
Father William Faherty was both my teacher and friend at SLU. He was chair of my History Master's Degree work, but didn't let his interest in my welfare end there, taking me to ice skate many times and going to the movies together. Later, I earned the Doctorate in History at a large, prestigious state university, but my one year of Master's studies under Father Faherty gave me more than three years of knowledge at the other university. Hence, he was a great teacher, as a motivator of students and role model. I'll miss you, Father Faherty!
David H. Corcoran, Sr., Ph.D., newspaper publisher, Glenville, WV
Peggy Stevens
August 24, 2011
I happened to meet Fr. Faherty on a ski trip to Colorado, in 1978, we were part of the same tour. He was instrumental in helping me, a 1st time skiier, with an equipment malfunction, and knew just the man who could solve the problem in the ski shop. He was a delight to be around and said evening Mass for all of us each night.
My sister had him in class at SLU, an auditorium of over 300 students and whenever they would pass each other on campus, he would call her by name!
Truly a special man.
God bless you Fr. Faherty, and may the angels welcome you to the home of your father.
John Karel Director, Tower Grove Park
August 24, 2011
Father Faherty was a keen student of St. Louis history, and a generous friend all good things, including Tower Grove Park. On numerous occasions he donated his time and wise counsel in helping us understand and consecrate the civic legacy of which the Park is in part the steward. Fr. Faherty was himself a faithful steward, who served his community as an extended family, with grace and dedication.
May he rest in peace.
Knights of Columbus of Greater St. Louis
August 23, 2011
TO THE FAHERTY FAMILY:
Please know of our deepest prayerful sympathy on the passing of Brother Knight and dedicated Jesuit Priest,
FR. WILLIAM BARNABY FAHERTY, S.J.
During his long priestly ministry in the Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Faherty served as a spiritual, intellectual and cultural catalyst for the lives of many Catholic Americans and persons of other faiths and cultures in metro St. Louis, nationwide and overseas.
His death marks a major loss for the St. Louis region, even at his tender distinguished age of 96 years!
His great love for our city, as well as his long-term enthusiastic advocacy of its distinctive culture, sports teams, and intellectual life, will truly be missed! His Irish pride and storytelling will also be recalled fondly.
Father Faherty's dynamic writing and historical scholarship will long be remembered by students of the history of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the City of St. Louis and the metro region, and numerous local and national major institutions whose unique stories he diligently and meticulously chronicled in his more than six decades of historical scholarship. Even the astronauts, officers, administrators and staff of NASA (the National Aeronautical Space Administration) admired his accomplished scholarship and technical sophistication in his detailing of the history of NASA and its adventures into outer space--a story far beyond what Father would have imagined early in his academic career!
We will have Masses read for Father Faherty's happy repose at the Old and New Cathedral Basilicas in St. Louis, recalling a proud priest-son of our Archdiocese who served his Church, City and Nation so well.
May he rest in peace!
Sincerely,
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE of
Greater St. Louis
Barbara Beste-Esstman
August 23, 2011
Fr. Faherty knew all his students in his big lecture classes, took us ice skating, and humanized the experience. Great man, always interested in hearing from old students, even the ones from 1965.
Mary Stahl
August 23, 2011
I was able to meet Fr. Faherty a few times at Hibernian events. We had the connection of both being graduates of Epiphany of our Lord grade school, he was a member of the first graduating class. A great man and historian.
August 23, 2011
Barby was a good friend and correspondent for 30 years or more; he always will be in my heart.
—Sharon Kinney Hanson, past president, Missouri Writers Guild, Columbia, MO
August 23, 2011
Father Faherty was one of the most intelligent and accomplished writers in the St. Louis Writers Guild. He was a gentle man who loved baseball, limericks, movies, history, interesting conversations, and good food. May the angels and saints guide him home. May Eternal Light shine on him, and may he rest in peace.
Mary Schirmer, past president, St. Louis Writers Guild
Steve Frank
August 23, 2011
I have had the privilege of knowing Father Faherty as a student, in his role as the informal Chaplain to the SLU soccer teams in the 1960s, and in visiting with him during the last several months at the Fusz Pavillion at the Jesuit Hall. He was a man of much substance and retained his intellect and wit to the very end. I look forward to witnessing and participating in the celebration of his life this evening with his family, friends and members of the Jesuit Community.
Patrick Doyle
August 23, 2011
Father Faherty taught me history in 1984 at Saint Louis University. He made a subject which was boring to me at the time very interesting. I still remember him fondly as an instructor who really cared about his students. Father Faherty..you made a huge impact on my life.
Liz Webb
August 23, 2011
God bless you Father Faherty. We will all miss the wonderful books you wrote on the history of the St. Louis area. Greg & Liz Webb
Mandy
August 23, 2011
What a good and faithful man. May he rest in peace.
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