Fr. J. Peter Deane, SJ, dedicated Jesuit for 59 years, died Dec. 1 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, at the age of 78. Fr. Deane was a Detroit native born to James and Eleanor (Mahoney) Deane on Feb. 24, 1934. He is remembered by many cousins, friends, as well as his Jesuit brothers.

Following graduation from the University of Detroit High in 1951, Fr. Deane attended John Carroll University in Cleveland and the University of Detroit. He entered the Milford Novitiate in 1953. During his formation training, Fr. Deane received various degrees including a B.A. in literature from Xavier University (1957), an M.S. in library science from Western Reserve in Cleveland (1963), an S.T.B. in theology from West Baden College (1967), and a M.Ed. in guidance and counseling from the University of Toledo (1985).

Fr. Deane was ordained a priest on June 14, 1966, at West Baden College, West Baden Springs, Ind., by John Cardinal Dearden. He professed final vows on May 1, 1976.

His love for literature blossomed throughout his Jesuit career and also during his first assignment at St. John Jesuit High School in Toledo where he served as the school’s librarian (1967-1974). Fr. Deane then moved on as chaplain in the alcohol rehabilitation unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo. “Fr. Deane had a remarkable ministry to people suffering from alcoholism; he also did tremendous work with adolescents in a residential facility near Monroe,” said Fr. Robert Scullin, SJ, a longtime friend.

Fr. Deane served as a counselor and chaplain in various institutions in the Midwest. These ministries included Flower Memorial Hospital (1979-1992) in Toledo, Boysville of Michigan (1995-2006) in Monroe, and Guest House (2006-07) in Lake Orion, where he ministered to women religious.

In 2010, Fr. Deane moved to Colombiere Center in Clarkston, where he remained until his death.
He is survived by his cousin Peter Fisher.

Fr. Deane’s funeral Mass was Dec. 8 at Colombiere. Memorial Gifts may be made to Jesuit International Missions or the Jesuit Partnership, 2050 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, or online at www.Jesuits-chgdet.org.