October 1, 2021 — Fr. Gregory F. Lucey, SJ, former president of the Jesuit Conference, Spring Hill College and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), died on Sept. 30, 2021, after a recent diagnosis of melanoma. He was 88 years old.
Fr. Lucey served as the president of the Jesuit Conference of the United States (now the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States) from 1994 to 1997 in Washington, D.C. Fr. Brian Paulson, SJ, current president of the Jesuit Conference, reflected, “Fr. Lucey dedicated his life to servant leadership in Jesuit education. First and foremost, he was a tremendous priest who wore his heart on his sleeve. Greg was both an extraordinary listener as well as a gifted storyteller. His warm smile, sense of humor and zest for life will be greatly missed.”
After his term as Jesuit Conference president, Fr. Lucey served as president of Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, from 1997 to 2009 and as president of AJCU from 2011 to 2013. He returned to Spring Hill to serve another term as president, from 2013 to 2015, and then as chancellor from 2015 to 2019.
“The Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province mourns the passing of Fr. Lucey,” said Fr. Thomas P. Greene, SJ, provincial. “He was an outstanding leader of Spring Hill College and staunch advocate for the mission of the Society in higher education. He was also passionate about justice issues and the role of a Jesuit university in serving the faith and promoting justice.”
E. Joseph Lee, PhD, president of Spring Hill College, said, “Fr. Lucey touched so many lives here at Spring Hill College and in our community. While his loss will be felt deeply for some time to come, his love for Christ, the college, and the Mobile community will continue to live on. We see evidence of his stewardship all over campus. As we reflect on his legacy, remember his family and our community in your prayers.”
Other positions Fr. Lucey held throughout his extensive career in Jesuit higher education included rector of the Jesuit community at Marquette University and vice president for development at Seattle University. He also founded and served as director of Marquette’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality and, in 1995, he attended the 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus as one of 200 delegates worldwide. He also served as a trustee of Xavier University, Loyola University New Orleans and Marquette University.
AJCU’s current president, Fr. Michael J. Garanzini, SJ, remarked on Fr. Lucey’s legacy:
“Fr. Lucey gave most of his life’s energy to working in Jesuit education, especially in higher education. Anyone who worked with or knew him saw his wisdom and his care for people and for our schools — most especially Spring Hill. His deep concern came from his indomitable spirit of optimism. What we have learned from him is something we need to be reminded of today: The Lord guides our projects. The difficulties and challenges we experience today can be managed if we rely on him even as we work as if everything depends on our good efforts. This was St. Ignatius’ advice and Fr. Lucey lived it.”
Fr. Lucey found a second home in Mobile thanks to his tenure at Spring Hill, but he was a Midwesterner through and through. He was born in Ferryville, Wisconsin, and raised in a large Irish Catholic family, where faith and public service were pillars for him and his siblings, including his brother, former Wisconsin Governor Patrick Lucey.
Fr. Lucey entered the Society of Jesus in 1951 and was ordained in 1964. He was a masterful storyteller, appreciated a good sense of humor and could be heard a mile away by his deep hearty laugh.