Rev. J. Joseph Quigley

Of Amherst, long-time director of the Newman Center at the University of Massachusetts and chaplain to thousands of Umass graduates, died in Amherst after an extended illness. He was 81 and in the 50th year of his priesthood. Born in Marblehead, MA, Jan. 3, 1924, he was the son of James Joseph and Julia G. (Harrington) Quigley. When his family moved to Ware, MA, he became class president at Ware High School. He entered AIC (American International College), but was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained as forward observer, low-speed radio operator. He was sent to Italy in the 5th Army under General Clark and moved north where he became the self-proclaimed "Liberator of Bologna." After the war he earned his bachelor's degree at Fordham University and began his long spiritual journey as a delayed vocation at St. John's seminary in Brighton. He was ordained in Springfield in 1956 and served at St. Mary's in Westfield before spending the rest of his career in Amherst, first at St. Brigid's and the next 30 years at the Newman Center, the last 15 as Director, until his retirement in 1993. When the Newman Center at Umass opened in 1963 he became the assistant director under the late Rev. David Power and began the charismatic career that made him probably the best known and most popular priest in the diocese. He was in constant demand as an invocator not only at religious occasions but at civil ceremonies, dinners and celebrations ranging from commencements and dedications to inaugurations. His rather lengthy prayers, filled with humor and personal anecdotes, frequently brought applause, a rarity that made it difficult for the main speaker to follow him. During his ministry he served as the diocesan director of campus ministry for the Springfield Diocese, chaplain of the Massachusetts state legion, Amherst police chaplain, Amherst Memorial Day master of ceremonies, President of Amherst Town committee for International Students, campus chaplain at Amherst College, member of the board of directors of Amherst Interfaith Housing Corporation, charter member of Amherst Kiwanis, President of the World Father's Association and chaplain of the Amherst Legion, post #148. Father Quigley received honorary degrees from Umass and the College of Our Lady of the Elms, was named an honorary alumnus of Umass and was awarded the Chancellor's Medal. He was the recipient of the Charles Forsyth Award, the most prestigious award in campus ministry, and of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He was predeceascd by his brothers Robert and John and sister, Julia Quigley McGarvey. He is survived by his sister-in-law Jean M. Quigley, nephews Robert, James, David, John, Peter, Ned, and Steve Quigley, Charles Bohn and a niece, Catherine Fisher.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 13th at the Newman Center Chapel at 472 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. Burial will follow in the New Saint Williams Cemetery, Ware. Visitation in the Quigley room at the Newman Center will be Sunday, June 12th from 12-4pm. A prayer service will be held in the chapel at 7pm. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com