Obituary: Father William McInnes, local Jesuit, friend of parishes and senior priests

Father William C. McInnes, SJ, a name and face familiar to people in several archdiocesan parishes where he assisted on weekends and a spiritual director and confessor to many of the senior priest of the archdiocese, especially those at Regina Cleri, died at Campion Center in Weston on Dec. 8. He was 86. His life and priestly ministry spanned more than eight decades and saw him serving in the military in World War II, as a professor and dean at Boston College; then as president of Fairfield University in Conn. and University of San Francisco in the City by the Bay.

A man of seemingly endless energy, he was regularly serving as chaplain on cruises; advising the Alumni Association at BC, and ready and willing to do just about anything you asked. He especially lighted up at the request to celebrate Mass: in your parish, at a nursing facility or on a ship.

One of his particular interests was business ethics and he readily made himself available to the business communities wherever he served, whether for an individual piece of advice, a small group discussion or a larger presentation!

Father McInnes funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, Newton on Dec. 15. Following the Mass he was buried in The Jesuit Cemetery, Campion Center, Weston.