Father Eugene J. Prior, S.J.

Father Eugene J. Prior, S.J., who served for 45 years at Loyola School in Manhattan as a vice president, assistant principal and director of student counseling, died July 24 at Murray-Weigel Hall, the Jesuit health care center in the Bronx. He was 82. Assigned to Loyola School in 1962, he was a spiritual director for 12 years. In 1974 he was named assistant principal and director of student counseling, with responsibility for student discipline. After a separate counseling department was established in 1987, he continued as assistant principal and remained in charge of discipline until 2001, when he became vice president for alumni and external affairs. He relocated to Murray-Weigel earlier this year. Born in New York City, he grew up in the Bronx and entered the Jesuits in 1943 at St. Andrew-on-Hudson in Poughkeepsie, where he professed vows in 1945. He also studied at West Baden College, Indiana, and at Woodstock College, Maryland. While preparing for priesthood he taught at Loyola School, 1949-1952. He was ordained at Fordham University Church in 1955. He taught at Regis High School in Manhattan, 1957-1962. A Funeral Mass was celebrated July 30 at St. Ignatius Church in Manhattan. Burial was in the Jesuit Cemetery at Auriesville.