The Rev. James F. “Jerry” McAndrews, S.J., who served as president of Loyola Blakefield for 19 years, died Nov. 23 at Philadelphia’s Manresa Hall Jesuit Community. The former Towson resident was 96.

“He died in his sleep of old age,” said his cousin, J. Mickey Rowley.

Born in Adams, Massachusetts, Father McAndrews was the son of James McAndrews, a Democratic Massachusetts state senator who ran for Congress, and Josephine Korspensberger.

He graduated from Adams High School, where he played varsity football, and later attended Wilbraham Academy before earning a degree in economics from Georgetown University.

In 1951, he entered the Society of Jesus, or Jesuit Fathers, at Wernersville, Pennsylvania, and was later ordained to the priesthood in Innsbruck, Austria.

“His first Mass in the U.S. was a massive affair,” Rowley said. “I think the whole town of Adams turned out. Jerry grew up as a Kennedy Democrat, and his politics remained on the left until the end.”

After teaching at what is now Loyola University Maryland, Father McAndrews was named president of what was then Loyola High School in 1979.

During his tenure, he expanded the school, now called Loyola Blakefield, adding middle school grades and leading a campaign to construct new buildings, including the Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Burk Memorial Building.

“I just signed the checks,” he said in a 1998 Baltimore Sun article, downplaying his role in raising funds for the expansions.

“Father McAndrews had a way about him. He was an executive administrator, and he always sought to engage people around him. He had a daily senior homeroom class too. He very much liked hearing what students were telling him,” said John H. Weetenkamp, a former principal who spent 48 years at the school.

Sheila Brune, who worked in the school’s administration, said, “Father McAndrews kept the ship afloat. He was a brilliant homilist. He was well-spoken and well-read. He could address the entire student body and hold their attention. He also had an amazing memory for names.”

“I was a J.V. pitcher and went eight innings against McDonogh one Friday. On Monday morning, I had a note from Father McAndrews congratulating me on a hard-won victory. He was that kind of person — kind and humble,” said Tyler Mays, a former student.

Speaking of his time at Blakefield, Father McAndrews said in 1998, “I was just fortunate to be here at the right time … just like the firemen. I was very conscious that you allow people to do what they can do best and try to get out of the way.”

“Students are looking for guidance,” he said in the same article. “They want to look up to the faculty. They want to be proud of their school, and they want to be able to achieve.”

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 5 at Saint Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Survivors include his cousin, J. Mickey Rowley, of Philadelphia.

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