Father Cuddigan remembered for teaching, pastoral ministry

Jesuit Father John Cuddigan, whose 67 years of service included six years teaching history at Creighton University in Omaha and 11 years in ministry at Omaha parishes, died May 30 in Wisconsin at age 87.

A funeral Mass was held June 6 in the Jesuit community chapel at St. Camillus retirement home in Wauwatosa, Wis., and inurnment was in Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee.

A memorial Mass was held June 15 at St. John Vianney Parish in Omaha, where Father Cuddigan often helped with Masses from 2004 until he moved to St. Camillus two years ago, said Father Richard Reiser, pastor. Father Cuddigan also joined a parish bridge club and walked with parishioners at a nearby mall, Father Reiser said.

"I think he liked the parish connection," Father Reiser said. Father Cuddigan was reliable, pleasant and a good homilist, he said.

Father Cuddigan also helped in those years at Creighton University’s St. John Parish.

Born in Anoka, Minn., Father Cuddigan entered the Society of Jesus in August 1949 and was ordained in August 1962. He taught history and was a regent at Marquette High School in Milwaukee from 1956 to 1959.

He also taught history or served as an academic administrator at Jesuit universities in Washington, Missouri, West Virginia and Illinois. He was superintendent of schools and director of deferred giving for the Diocese of San Diego, served as an associate pastor in Minnesota and California, and as a pastor in Mankato, Minn. After moving to St. Camillus, he continued to serve in pastoral ministry in the Milwaukee area.