Fr. Cornelius (Neil) Curtin, SJ, 1925-2011
September 22, 2011 in 2011, News, Obituaries
Fr. Neil Curtin, SJ
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September 12, 1925, to September 21, 2011
Pontiac, Michigan
Fr. Cornelius (Neil) Curtin, SJ, Jesuit priest and missionary in Patna, India, for 40 years, died on September 21, 2011 in Pontiac, Michigan. A Chicago native, Fr. Curtin was born to parents Cornelius Curtin, Sr. and Susan Murphy Curtin on September 12, 1925. “I will remember him most for his round face, rosy smile, and infectious chuckle laughter,” said Fr. Jim Dressman, SJ, fellow Jesuit who spent 10 years with Fr. Curtin in Kathmandu. He is survived by four brothers, three sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Immediately following graduation from Saint Ignatius College Prep in 1943, located on the west side of Chicago, Fr. Curtin entered the Milford Novitiate in Milford, Ohio. After spending four years at the novitiate (1943-1947), he began studies at West Baden College in West Baden, Indiana. He moved on to Loyola University Chicago where he received both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English.
In the 19050s, during his years of formation, Fr. Curtin was selected as one of the first Jesuits to travel to Patna, India, where the Chicago Province of the Jesuits hoped to create a new mission. Upon arriving in Patna in 1959, Fr. Curtin began his assignment as co-pastor to various churches in the Patna Diocese. In 1960, his assignment as co-pastor to various churches in the Patna Diocese. In 1960 he was appointed school director of a parish school in Durbhanga where he remained for 13 years before moving on to serve at another school in Dumraon (1973-1978). Fr. Curtin then took on a very different role as he began teaching at the K.R.H. School in Bettiah from 1980-1986.
“By reason of his girth and warm smile, he was a dominant presence in the classroom,” explains former community member and long-time friend, Fr. Paul Faulstich, SJ. “He knew the strengths of his students and was methodical in giving assignments and correcting them. They felt privileged to have such a teacher.” During this time, Fr. Curtin also served as the chaplain to the Sacred Heart Sisters Novitiate. He spent the remainder of his time in India as a teacher at St. Xavier’s high school in Jawalakhel. “This was a very happy period in his life, the last mission chapter. He was thrilled to be part of building the Lord’s kingdom in one of the most ancient of kingdoms…literally on top of the world,” continued Fr. Faulstich.
In 1999, Fr. Curtin joined the Colombiere community where he resided until his death.
“Neil is now enjoying his well-earned reward in Heaven,” said Fr. James Chambers, SJ.
Memorial gifts:
Memorial gifts may be made to The Jesuits, 2050 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614.
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Fr Con was my Grandmothers eldest nephew (his Aunt Peg) I remember his visits to England when I was a child – he always had great stories to tell. In later years we communicated via e-mail and I will miss this. I was very sorry to hear of his death from Sr Mary. May he rest in peace.
I feel privileged and blessed to have had such a holy and dedicated priest as part of my family. I keep thinking of how much good a man such as Father Con has done over the course of his lifetime on earth. When I heard the sad news of his passing, the first thing I thought of was that it happened on a Wednesday, the day he said he always prayed for our family. I know in my heart he is getting his reward by being with our Almighty God in heaven. I will remember him in my prayers and I hope he is continuing to pray for all us.
Really sorry to hear about Fr Con – he was very much part of my childhood and Nanny (your Aunt Peg) was very proud of him. He was a great e-mailer and I will miss him. Remember meeting you in Chicago in 1978,1981 and at Helene’s home a few years back.
Best wishes
Cate
Family of Rev. C. Curtin, Fr. Curtin and I have written to each other at Christmas for a good many years. Besides the literature he sends during the year.(We kept tabs on our old classmates)Class of ’39. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Fr. Con’s family. May his work serve as an inspiration to all.
Neil was and is a great Jesuit, now in Heaven. I graduated from St. Ignatius a year before him, 1942. He was with me as a novice at Milford and at West Baden. I went to India in 1957. I went straight to Kathmandu, Nepal. At that time it was difficult to get a visa to live in India.
St. Xavier high school, and all the schools in the mountains have their vacation in the winter because of the cold weather. So the Jesuits usually go to India to make their annual eight day retreat because the weather is warmer.
And perhaps a vacation. Often I would go to visit Neil at his mission station at Darbhanga. I would say Mass with him. Visit some of the Catholic families,
relaxe for several days. Neil and I would ride around the town on bicycles
looking at the famous historical buildings.
Raising sugar cane and making it into sugar is a big business in that part of India. Going around the countryside we would see a line of ox carts piled high will stalks of sugar cane walking slowly to deliver the sugar cane to the sugar mill to be crushed and the juice would be boiled to get the sugar. The carts were heavy with the cane, so the oxen walked slowly. Some times a cart in back would get close to the cart ahead of it then the two oxen would start
to eat the sweet sugar cane. As sweet as candy, a nice treat!
Also, as a line of ox carts would be walking through a village, some boys would run out onto the street, and pull a stalk of sugar cane off a cart, and start chewing on it, as if it were candy. I had a nice visit to Neil’s mission station.
Around 1984 Neil suffered sun stroke. The city of Kathmandu, Nepal is 4500 feet above sea level and so it is cooler than Patna. Neil was assigned to teach at St. Xavier high shool where he did good work for eleven years. I had taught at that school for 25 years.
So now Neil is enjoying his well earned reward in Heaven.
James Chambers,SJ (born in St Catherine of Siena parish, Oak Park)