FR. GERARD VAN WALLEGHEM, S.J.

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FR. GERARD VAN WALLEGHEM, S.J. Fr. Gerard Adhelson Van Walleghem, S.J., passed away peacefully, June 1, 2015 at St. Joseph's College in North Point, Darjeeling, India. The seventh son of Mr. Jules and Mrs. Eliza Van Walleghem, Fr. Van, as he was universally known, was born in 1927 in Winnipeg, Canada. He was pre-deceased by his parents and six brothers Jerome (Anita), Lucien (Bea), Michael (Anne), Gerry (Elma), George (Helen) and Julien (Yvonne). He is survived by Anita (Nanaimo) and Yvonne (Winnipeg), many nieces, nephews and cousins. His death is mourned by Jesuit colleagues in Canada and India, by thousands of students, alumni, parishioners and friends from the Darjeeling area of India and supporters in Canada. Gerard grew up on the family dairy farm and attended St. Ignatius and St. Paul's High Schools in Winnipeg. In 1944 he entered the Society of Jesus novitiate in Guelph, Ontario to become a Jesuit. After completing a BA degree at the University of Montreal, he answered the call of the Canadian mission in India and dedicated the rest of his life to service in Darjeeling. He completed his Jesuit studies there and was ordained a priest in 1958. He worked as teacher, counselor, headmaster, vice-rector, and rector at St. Joseph's College in North Point (both School and College) Darjeeling. He also served as Head Master of St. Alphonsus High School in Kurseong, as pastor and minister throughout the hills, and as Novice Master at the Mount Carmel novitiate in Kalimpong. Whenever natural disaster or war disrupted people's lives, he worked tirelessly with his students and colleagues to provide relief. He helped to start or operate several social and health services in Darjeeling province, including St. Joseph's School in Mungpoo (the Bamboo School). Throughout, he communicated by mail and later by email to encourage the efforts of many Canadian financial and spiritual supporters. When travel became convenient, he visited alumni and friends around the world, sharing successes and encouraging support. In 2002 the University of Manitoba awarded Fr. Van the honourary degree of Doctor of Law and he gave the Commencement address to graduates, encouraging them in lives of service. Fr. Van chose to spend his senior years in Darjeeling where his heart belonged. An article in the Darjeeling Chronicle summarized: "His Janma-bhoomi (land of birth) might have been Canada... but he made Darjeeling his Karma-bhoomi (land of deeds.)" Fr. Van's life was celebrated and he was buried in Darjeeling on June 2. Family and friends in Winnipeg and beyond are invited to celebrate his life at a Mass at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Street, Winnipeg on June 9 at 11:00 a.m. Donations in Fr. Van's memory can be made to www.canadianjesuitsinternational.ca or by phoning 1-800-448-2148.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2015