October 21, 2019 — Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Edward J. Mattimoe, SJ, who died on October 20, 2019, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 85 years old. May he rest in peace.

Ned was born on April 8, 1934 in Toledo, Ohio. He entered the Chicago Province on September 1, 1952 at Milford, Ohio, and became a member of the Detroit Province in 1955. Ned was ordained on June 17, 1965 at Colombiere Center and pronounced final vows on April 7, 1979 in Toledo, Ohio.

Before entering the Society, Ned attended Gesu Parish grade school in Toledo and graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (1952). While in the Society, he earned a Bachelor's Degree from Xavier University (1957) and a Master's Degree in English from Loyola University Chicago (1959). Ned also earned a Licentiate Degree in Philosophy from West Baden College (1959) and a Bachelor's Degree of Sacred Theology from Jesuit School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois (1966).

During Regency, Ned taught English and speech at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1959-1962). For over a decade after his ordination, Ned served as a teacher and administrator at the newly founded Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Ned taught English (1966-1967) and art history (1972-1976). He was an associate principal for two years (1966-1968) before becoming the second principal of the school (1968-1977). While Ned was at Walsh, he also served as the Detroit Province's Provincial Consultant for High Schools (1968-1970).

After a well-earned sabbatical, Ned spent five years in the Detroit Province Office where he used his organizational and relational skills in his roles of Provincial Assistant for Secondary Education (1978-1982) and Provincial Assistant for Formation (1978-1983).

After his time in the province office, Ned was able to return to one of his true loves, writing. In 1983, Ned became the founding editor of Company, a Jesuit magazine which told stories of individuals, groups and institutions pursuing the Jesuit mission (1983-1994). He then was appointed an associate editor of America Magazine (1995-1998).

Ned then decided to focus on sacramental ministry and was a priest in residence at St. Patrick Parish in Huntington, New York (1998-2011). Shortly after he began his parish ministry, 9/11 occurred and a number of Ned's parishioners were killed. Offering compassionate assistance to families and other survivors, and sharing their deep suffering and mourning, affected Ned very deeply. In 2011, Ned was missioned to Colombiere Center to pray for the Church and the Society and care for his health.

Ned was a quiet, multi-talented Jesuit priest. He was a good preacher who always sought fresh ways of presenting and sharing the Good News. While he became the Principal at Walsh Jesuit at a relatively young age, Ned was a master teacher, who was able to help faculty members improve their teaching skills and induced imaginative approaches to learning among teachers and students. He was incredibly creative and encouraged originality in others. When participating in a meeting, Ned's notepad was always filled with detailed doodles. Ned continually sought for more effective ways of communicating his ideas and desires to make a better Walsh Jesuit High School.

He was always generous with his time and talents. For instance, while Ned was living in Chicago, he would give men who were about to start high school regency a "short course" on teaching methods. As formation director, Ned always had a listening ear. As founding editor of Company magazine, he always had an eye for stories that involved innovative approaches to living, learning, and ministering.

Ned had a good sense of humor and an "impish quality" about him, for example, while he was principal of Walsh, Ned had a life-sized (cardboard) photo of himself that he would put in his office chair when not in the office.

VISITATION

Friday, October 25, 2019
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Prayer Service 7:00 p.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015

FUNERAL

Saturday, October 26, 2019
10:45 a.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015