Fr. Joseph T. Angilella, SJ, former academic vice president and professor of sociology at the University of San Francisco (USF), died October 26, 2025, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 90 years old and a member of the Jesuits for 73 years. He held teaching, administrative and ministerial positions at Le Moyne College, in Syracuse, New York; Canisius College in Buffalo, New York; and Xavier University in Cincinnati before coming to USF.
Joseph Thomas Angilella was born in Buffalo, New York, on November 28, 1934, the son of Frank Angilella and Josephine Farina Angilella. He graduated from Canisius High School and entered the Jesuit novitiate at St. Andrew-on-Hudson in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1952. His studies took him to Loyola Seminary in Shrub Oak, New York, and Fordham University in New York, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology, which, after doctoral studies at the University of Michigan and Syracuse University (Ph.D., 1972) became the focus of his academic work. His theological training was done at Alma College in the Los Gatos, California, campus of Santa Clara University. He was ordained a priest at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood on June 9, 1965.
Before ordination he taught Latin, mathematics and history at Loyola School in New York City, where he also directed the choral group. After ordination, he was engaged in university work, gradually moving westward. He served as college chaplain at Le Moyne College (1968-70), associate professor of sociology and religious studies at Canisius College (1972-76), and professor of sociology and dean of arts and sciences at Xavier University (1976-79), before arriving at the University of San Francisco in 1979.
At USF he held a number of positions in the university and Jesuit community. He was academic vice president (1979-83) and professor of sociology (1983-2002). From 1993 to 2002, he also served as a campus minister, giving spiritual direction and retreats to faculty, students and others. He gained emeritus status in 2003 and took up the position of minister of the USF Jesuit community, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the house and serving as a consultor to the community rector. He devoted himself to pastoral ministry (2010-19) before moving to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center for a ministry of prayer.
Fr. Angilella travelled extensively in Europe, India, China and Japan. He attended conferences and lectured in China and Japan. Parish experience in New York, Ohio and California complemented his university chaplaincy work. Among his publications is Rediscovering Justice: Awakening World Faiths to Address World Issues (1998), co-edited with Alan Ziajka from papers given at an interfaith conference held at USF. He engaged in spiritual direction and gave many retreats to women religious over the years. His artistic side was evident in his love of music and his drawings and paintings in a variety of media. He was a very good cook and enjoyed preparing meals for his family, friends and fellow Jesuits.
Fr. Angilella was predeceased by his brother, Frank, and is survived by his sister-in-law, Beth Angilella of Cincinnati; niece Jan Angilella; and nephew, Frank Angilella.
A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, 300 College Avenue, Los Gatos 95030. View the livestream.
Donations in memory of Fr. Angilella may be made to the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 68, Los Gatos, CA 95031, or to a charity of your choosing.