Age Quod Agis - Jesuit High School

In Memoriam
Fr. Joseph DeJardin, S.J.
BY DiCK GeDrOSe ‘61, FOrmer JHS PreSiDenT, PrinCiPAL, viCe-PrinCiPAL, TeACHer & COACH
It is not a little ironic that two
beloved Jesuits, Fr. Joe DeJardin, S.J.,
and Fr. David Olivier, S.J., died within
days of one another this past spring.
For the two men’s differences, in their
physical appearance and personal
characteristics, could not have been
more pronounced. Where Fr. Olivier
was large in stature, boisterous and
gregarious in personality, Fr. DeJardin
was small, some might say frail, in
size and certainly quiet and satisfied
to work behind the scenes. Yet each
in his own way made tremendous
contributions to the tradition that
has been the foundation of Jesuit
High School. The two common
characteristics so critical to both men
are their devotion and love of Jesuit
High School and dedication to their
vocation as priest and as Jesuit.
Fr. DeJardin—DJ, Deej or Joe as
many knew him—was a kind and
caring soul. In 1970, as a teacher
new to Jesuit High, I was certainly
the recipient of Joe’s good counsel
and wisdom. Entering my sixth year
as a teacher, but first in the all boys
environment of Jesuit, I was fairly
confident in my abilities. However, as
the class of 1973, then sophomores,
often reminds me, they entered my
history class to demonstrate just
how much I still had to learn. It
The Jesuit High School community joins in prayerful remembrance of those who have
died. May the family and friends of those who are no longer with us in body be held
in our prayers and hearts, and may the departed rest in eternal peace with God.
was comforting to have Fr. DeJardin
teaching history next to me. He was
an experienced educator at Jesuit
High and a Jesuit who understood the
concept of “cura personalis” (care of
the individual) and how that applied
to a young teacher. Joe would offer
advice on everything from curriculum
to classroom management and it was
always provided with a sense of care
and concern. It was from Fr. DeJardin
and his love of books that eventually I
incorporated his teaching technique of
supplementing my history curriculum
with historical novels, a technique
that enhanced classroom discussions
and made the subject matter more
interesting for fifteen-year-old boys.
Fr. DeJardin’s health was always a
challenge for him. After years in the
classroom, he accepted the position of
librarian, a natural given his love for
books and for reading. Together with
his legendary assistant, Rosie Lacey,
Joe created an environment that was
welcoming and warm for students
and faculty. He did not seek attention,
and when not conversing with
and assisting students he could be
found in the backroom of the library
organizing and directing an efficiently
run operation.
Perhaps Fr. DeJardin’s effect on
students can best be recalled through
a phone call I received in the early
years of my tenure as president of
Jesuit. An alumnus, whose experience
with Fr. DeJardin had been in the
late 1970s, phoned and wanted to
make a six figure contribution to
the school’s endowment. After some
discussion, the alum informed me his
contribution would be in the name of
Fr. Joseph DeJardin, S.J., a man whose
influence had been significant in his
formative years and for whom he
was extremely grateful. It was a clear
reminder of the impact this humble,
quiet man made in the life of not only
this alumnus, but many others.
• 30 •
Jesuit High School
Alumni
Anthony Siri ’64 2/17/10
Anthony Sirianni ’68 5/3/10
Ronald Telles ’72 1/28/10
Timothy J. Wehrley ’78 3/8/10
Friends, Family, Faculty
& Staff of JHS
Anthony Conroy 2/7/10
Father of Michael ‘70 and Paul ‘73
Fr. Joseph DeJardin, S.J. 4/9/10
Longtime JHS history teacher and
librarian
Rev. Wayne Forbes 5/20/10
Pastor of St. John Fisher parish and
friend of JHS
Henry Houser 3/4/10
Grandfather of Henry ‘00 and
Samuel ‘00
Dr. Charles Martinson 5/4/10
Grandfather of Dustin Force ‘03
Dr. Thomas L. Miller 2/25/10
Father of Michael ‘74, Timothy ‘75,
Scott ‘76, Jeffrey ‘77, Cary ‘78
and Christopher ‘96
Monty Multanen 5/10
Grandfather of Calvin ‘10 and Luke ‘11
Fr. David Olivier, S.J. 4/7/10
Longtime JHS theology teacher and
director of retreat and faith-sharing
programs
Al Reser 4/13/10
Friend of JHS
Mary Wieber 4/3/10
Mother of Patrick ‘69
Catherine L. Younie 2/4/10
Wife of Wade Younie ‘74
This is the deceased list as we know it from
January 1, 2010 through June 10, 2010.
Relationships listed are Jesuit ties only
within the deceased’s immediate family. We
apologize for any omission and ask that you
please notify Kathy Baarts at 503-291-5414
or kbaarts@jesuitportland.org.
As the school entered coeducation
and grew in size, Fr. DeJardin decided
it was time to slow down. True to St.
THiS STOrY iS COnTinueD On PAGe 45