Father John Raymond Whitley, C.S.B.

Fr. “Jack” was born to the late W. Raymond Whitley and Margaret Loughery Whitley in Rochester, NY, on June 28, 1927. He graduated from Aquinas Institute in Rochester in 1944 where he was educated by the Basilian Fathers. Shortly after graduation he entered the Basilians and began formation to become a priest. On August 15, 1945, he took his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He continued his education, receiving a BA from the University of Western Ontario, a library science degree from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Education from the University of Rochester.

In 1951 he taught Latin and Science at St. Thomas High School, Houston, Texas. He taught at St. Michael’s College School in Toronto, Canada before being ordained a priest on June 29th, 1954, at St. Basil’s Church in Toronto. In 1955, Fr Jack was sent to Aquinas Institute to serve as librarian, teacher of English and Theology, coordinator of assemblies, director of graduation, moderator of the school band and color guard instructor. Under his direction the color guard won five New York State Championships and received three national rankings. It was during these years that he wrote a weekly article for the diocesan newspaper, “Catholic Courier”, under the pen name of “Whit Johnson”, chronicling high school activities. Fr. Whitley spent 17 years at Aquinas and then was moved to Catholic Central High School in Detroit. While in Detroit he entered the Doctoral program in educational administration at Wayne State University and was awarded an LL.D. degree from the University of Assumption. He later was moved to Merrillville, Indiana, where he served as principal of Andrean High School. In the fall of 1989, Fr. Jack was appointed Director of the Basilian Fathers’ Mission Center until 2006. This was a position that was very dear to his heart, through which he raised funds to help those in need. In 2006 he was assigned to the University of St. Thomas, Houston to help with the spiritual life of the campus.

Fr. Whitley was a very devout and holy priest. He was forever thanking God for the gift of his vocation. He so enjoyed celebrating the Mass and just prior to his death was maintaining a very active schedule of celebrating the Eucharist on the campus of the University of St. Thomas and at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. He was very proud of his association with the Knights of Columbus, serving as Associate State Chaplain as well as chaplain to other councils in greater Houston.

Fr. Whitley is survived by his sisters: Jeanne Dailey of Stamford, CT, Sister Nancy Whitley, a Sister of Mercy in Rochester as well as numerous nephews and one niece. Another sister, Mary Ann Conners, passed away in 2005. Throughout his priestly life Fr. Jack lived the motto of the Basilian Fathers: “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”