Fr. Paul L. Locatelli S.J.

1939 - 2010

Fr. Paul Leo Locatelli, S.J., 71, Chancellor and former President of Santa Clara University, died July 12, 2010 at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Paul was a Jesuit for 47 years and a priest for 36 years.
Paul was born in Santa Cruz on September 16, 1938 and grew up in Boulder Creek. Paul attended the University of California at Berkeley, 1956-58 and transferred to Santa Clara University, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting in January 1961. Paul served in the Army and while stationed at Fort Ord, began to think seriously about a vocation to the priesthood and religious life as a Jesuit. He wished "to serve God and help people spiritually" and viewed teaching as a "laudable profession,"
which as a priest, would also be "edifying." He entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Los Gatos on September 7, 1962.
Following studies at Gonzaga University's Mount St. Michael's campus (1965-67), Paul began doctoral studies in business administration at the University of Southern California, completing his work in 1971 with a dissertation on ethical responsibility in the professional practice of accounting. He made theology studies at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, 1971-74, and was ordained to the priesthood in St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, on March 23, 1974.
Upon completion of studies, Paul returned to Santa Clara as Assistant Professor of Accounting. In addition to teaching he served as Associate Dean of the School of Business, 1976-78, and as Academic Vice President, 1978-86. In 1986 he was named Rector of the Jesuit Community of Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and two years later returned to Santa Clara as the 27th
President of the university.
Paul was elected to four terms as President, a tribute to his outstanding abilities and balanced leadership style. Administrative evaluations were uniformly high, praising his energy, availability, and clear and forceful articulation of the University's mission. From the start as president, Paul ably coalesced the university around several themes: a need to connect more with the world outside the university and have a voice in the global dialogue; a need to increase student diversity to continue the Jesuit emphasis on education for all; and a need to tap into the rich resources of the university's Silicon Valley neighbors, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
Paul was the public face of the university to the greater community and served on the boards of many local and national civic and educational organizations. He was the recipient of many awards, including the Distinguished Professor Award from the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the 2009 David Packard Award, and the Catholic Church's "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice"
Award in 2001.
In 2008 Paul stepped down as President after 20 years and assumed the position of Chancellor of the University and a newly established Jesuit position, Secretary for Higher Education and the Intellectual Apostolate, with an office in Rome. In this latter capacity Paul's role was to provide advice and input on education matters, encourage programs of international collaboration and convene periodic meetings of Jesuit university presidents. One of his last acts was to oversee an international meeting of Jesuit educators in Mexico City this spring.
Paul was highly esteemed by his Jesuit and lay colleagues. His peers found him "generous, sensitive, and cooperative," and praised his "clear and accurate judgment" and leadership qualities. He was a deeply spiritual man. When he was diagnosed with the tumor in May, he wrote to friends, "I am looking at this as an opportunity to enrich and deepen my friendship with God, friends and family, and to better serve the people of God."
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Marie (Piccone) Locatelli, and his sister-in-law, Carol Locatelli.† He is survived by his two brothers and their families: Al Locatelli and Diane Kranich of Scotts Valley, and Harry and Lydia Locatelli of Santa Cruz.† Nieces and nephews include Lynn Locatelli DVM of Watrous, NM and Russell Locatelli of McKinleyville, CA and Paul Locatelli, Amy Bosinger and Matthew Locatelli of Santa Cruz.† Paul also leaves several grandnieces and grandnephews.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Church on Santa Clara's campus at 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053. A funeral Mass will be held that evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Mission Gardens, with a reception following. A private committal service will be held at a later date.
Contributions can be made to the Paul Locatelli, S.J. Memorial Fund for Student Scholarships, Santa Clara University Development Office, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400 or at http://www.scu.edu/give/how-to-give/make-your-gift/
Funeral arrangements by DARLING-FISCHER Chapel of the Hills in Los Gatos, CA.