John Joseph McAreavey

John Joseph McAreavey (1915-1975)

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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Father McAreavey worked on ants from the 1930's through to the early 1960s

McAREAVEY, John
Teacher; born Bairnsdale, Victoria, 7 March 1915; died Adelaide, 25 March 1975, aged 60.

John McAreavey, born of elderly parents, was educated by the Jesuits at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, entered the Society of Jesus, 10 March 1934, did his juniorate in classics, 1936-7, which was followed by three years of philosophy. Four years of regency were at Xavier College, 1941-4, followed by theology and ordination, 3 January 1948. After a year teaching at St Patrick's in 1949, he completed tertianship at Sevenhill under John Meagher in 1950. Then he went to Burke Hall 1951-2, taking final vows, 15 August 1951.
The years 1953-61 were spent at Xavier College, with the exception of 1957 during which he was at Loyola College, Watsonia, as socius to the master of novices and professor of the history of philosophy. He also lectured to the juniors. While at Xavier College he taught mainly Latin and Greek, but it was during this time that his longstanding interest in Australian ants began to come to fruition. He wrote articles and built up a considerable collection which was eventually given to the CSIRO in Canberra. He also made a catalogue of ants of Australia, and became a respected entomologist.
In 1962 McAreavey was sent to St Ignatius' College, Adelaide, first at Norwood, and then at Athelstone when it was opened in 1967. He taught chiefly classics, ancient history and biology. For several years he was prefect of studies, 1962-65. He played a major part in the founding of Athelstone in 1967, and worked hard in the garden. He particularly enjoyed teaching girls when the school went partially co-ed in the senior years.
He was a big, gentle, kindly, humorous and humble man, intensely private, painfully shy and most unassuming. Yet, he enjoyed the company of friends, and looked forward to his daily teaching. He could be most thoughtful and giving, but found the post-Vatican Church hard to reconcile with his previous experience. He died suddenly in his sleep from a coronary occlusion.