Caulfield, John F.

Fr. John F. Caulfield, 96, died on February 13th at Campion Center in Weston, MA. He was predeceased by seven siblings, two of whom were Religious Sisters and one a priest. He grew up in the Boston suburb of Woburn and graduated from the high school there in 1930, then attended Boston College, graduating in 1934. He entered the Society that same year and after noviceship and juniorate at “the old” Shadowbrook in Lenox MA he did philosophy at “the old” Weston College. From 1939 to ’41 he taught mathematics at Boston College while also doing studies in advanced math. He then returned to Weston College for theology and was ordained in 1944. After fourth-year theology he did tertianship at Pomfret CT and then began doctoral studies in mathematics at the University of Indiana, earning the degree in 1951. Next he taught math at Fairfield (CT) University until 1954, when he came to Boston College to teach mathematics for the next forty-five years, serving for several terms as department chairman. From 1999 he was Emeritus Professor of mathematics at B.C., until 2004, when worsening health issues required him to move to Campion Health Center. He was one of those people with a, gruff exterior but a very warm heart and a prominent “anchor man” in his large extended family, presiding over the years at countless baptisms, first communions, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and other family occasions. His interests continued to be wide even when older, shown in part by his acceptance of appointment as Honorary Chaplain to the Massachusetts State Police when he was well into his eighties.

During school vacation periods over his long life he exercised his skills as an enthusiastic sailor and was respected by his brother-Jesuits for his nautical expertise. He was known among them as “The Admiral of Cohasset,” the name of the coastal town where the Province Villa was located and its two-sailboat “fleet” rode at anchor.