McLeod, Frederick G. (Father)

March 10, 2022 –Father Frederick G. McLeod, SJ, died March 7, 2022, in St. Louis. He was 90 years old, a Jesuit for 72 years and a priest for almost 60 years.

Remembered by his Jesuit brothers as a true gentleman and a truly gentle man, Fr. McLeod will be remembered in a funeral Mass in the Loyola Room of Jesuit Hall, 3601 Lindell Blvd., in St. Louis, on March 15, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. A visitation will be in the same room immediately beforehand, from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. The Mass will be live-streamed. The link can be found on YouTube by searching on “Fr. Fred McLeod Funeral Mass.” Interment will be at Campion Center in Weston, Mass., at a later date.

Fred McLeod was born in Dorchester, Mass., on Feb. 22, 1932, the oldest and last surviving of six siblings to whom he remained close throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter B. and Evelyn McGahey McLeod, as well as by his brothers, William, Robert, and Richard, and his sisters Marjorie Costello and Carol Stanley. He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Kathie McLeod and Jane McLeod, and 13 nieces and nephews.

He entered the New England Province of the Society of Jesus at Shadowbrook in Lenox, Mass., on July 30, 1949, and pronounced first vows there on July 31, 1951. He was ordained to the priesthood at Weston College in Weston, Mass., on June 16, 1962, and pronounced final vows on Aug. 15, 1966 at Farm Street in London.

He began his active ministry at Baghdad College in Iraq, where he served 1956-59. He returned to Baghdad as a young priest but was soon forced out along with the other foreign-born Jesuits. He then served as the rector of the Jesuit Collegian Community in Boston from its beginning to its end, 1969-73.

In 1973, Fr. McLeod was assigned to Saint Louis University as a professor of theological studies. He continued in this role until 2006, more than 30 years. From 2006 until his death, he wrote about theology.

Father McLeod enjoyed teaching, but he relished writing even more. He eagerly anticipated his occasional sabbaticals, both for the time and space they provided him for writing, and for the opportunities they gave him to reconnect with his New England roots and his family. Even as his health weakened, he continued to write a bit each day.

His quiet wisdom, patience and good humor were gifts he freely gave to his community, family and friends until the very end.

Father McLeod earned a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in philosophy and classics from Boston College. He received his Ph.D. in theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome in 1973.

We remember with gratitude all that God has done through Fr. McLeod’s life of service to God and God’s people.

Memorial gifts may be made to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus at 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 or through this website.