The last founding Jesuit of Fairfield Prep dies | Press Releases

Rev. James H. Barry, S.J., the last surviving Jesuit of the original 19 who founded Fairfield Preparatory School and Fairfield University in 1942, died at Beth-Israel-Deaconess Hospital in Boston on Jan. 4, at age 88.

Fr. Barry taught at Fairfield Prep, where he also served as a spiritual counselor, from its opening in 1942 until 1950, when he went to the Jamaica Mission of the New England Province of Jesuits. He served in Jamaica for nearly 30 years, as a pastor of a church in Kingston, a vice-chancellor of the Diocese, the superior of the entire Jamaica Mission and then again as a pastor of churches in Kingston and St. Ann's Bay. During his time there he oversaw the building of a new church in Ocho Rios.

Since 1979 Fr. Barry has served in various capacities with the New England Province as his health permitted. Father Barry was well liked by his fellow Jesuits and the many people he served who would travel long distances to visit him.

Fr. Barry entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Lenox, Mass., in 1929 and studied philosophy and theology at Weston College. He was ordained a priest in 1940.

Fr. Barry was predeceased by one brother, Fr. Paul Barry, S.J., and two sisters, Mrs. J.J. Reardon and Mrs. Edwin L. Trask. He leaves two nephews and a niece.

A wake will take place on Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Campion Center Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Weston, Mass., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will take place on Friday, Jan. 7, at 10 a.m.