The Rev. Joseph P. Parkes, SJ, JES ’68, a longtime Jesuit leader, educator, and devoted member of the Fordham community, died on June 19, 2026, at Murray-Weigel Hall on the Rose Hill campus at the age of 81.
Over more than six decades as a member of the Society of Jesus, Father Parkes shaped generations of students through his steady leadership and deep sense of mission. His connection to Fordham spanned decades and roles: He was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1976, at the University Church; later served seven terms on the University’s Board of Trustees over a period of more than 20 years; earned an honorary degree from the University in 2019; and spent his final years in residence at Murray-Weigel Hall.
Early Life and Jesuit Calling
Born on November 19, 1944, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Father Parkes was the son of Irish immigrants Mary (Née McAloon) and Joseph Parkes. He attended St. Peter’s Prep, where he distinguished himself academically and athletically, before entering the Society of Jesus in 1962 at St. Andrew-on-Hudson in Poughkeepsie, New York, according to an obituary from the Jesuits USA East Province.
His Jesuit formation took him from New York to Michigan and Wisconsin, where he earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. During his regency, he taught at the Ateneo de Manila in the Philippines. After completing theological studies in New York, he was ordained at Fordham.
Father Parkes went on to hold a series of influential leadership roles within the Jesuits’ New York Province, later re-named the Jesuits USA East Province, including serving as provincial from 1990 to 1996. In that role, he was known for his attentiveness to fellow Jesuits and for guiding the province with clarity and purpose.
Dedication to Jesuit Education
His commitment to Jesuit education was a defining thread throughout his life. Father Parkes served as rector-president of St. Peter’s Prep, his alma mater, from 1979 to 1986, and later as president of Fordham Preparatory School from 1996 to 2004.
In 2004, he became the founding president of Cristo Rey New York High School in East Harlem, which joined a network of schools expanding access to Jesuit education for students from families of limited means. During his 18-year tenure as president, Father Parkes helped to nurture the connection between Fordham and the Cristo Rey network, laying the groundwork for the University’s pledge to offer financial support to incoming Cristo Rey students.
According to Patricia Peek, PhD, Fordham’s senior associate vice president and dean of admission, Father Parkes devoted himself to helping students access a Fordham education.
“Starting with the first senior class, he would personally bring his students to campus to get them excited about the possibilities that college, and specifically Fordham, could provide. I fondly remember the times he devoted to supporting each student, picking up the phone to tell me why they would thrive at Fordham,” Peek said.
She added that she would often run into Father Parkes at Grand Central Station during her commute.
“He always greeted me with a smile and a warm welcome, often proudly wearing Fordham gear,” Peek said.
In addition to his extensive service on Fordham’s Board of Trustees, he served on the boards of numerous Jesuit and Catholic institutions, including Loyola School in Manhattan, Georgetown University, and several Jesuit high schools across the country. In recognition of his contributions, he was named a “Legend of Prep” by St. Peter’s Prep in 1997, according to the Jesuit USA East Province, and was inducted into the Fordham Prep Hall of Honor in 2017.
Even after retiring to Murray-Weigel Hall in 2023, Father Parkes remained active, assisting in the Office of the President at Fordham Prep.
Honoring Father Parkes
Father Parkes’ life was marked by an enduring dedication to his Jesuit brothers, his students, and the many communities he served. Fordham will remember his steady friendship with gratitude.
A wake for Father Parkes will be held on Thursday, June 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Chapel of Murray-Weigel Hall, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, June 26, at 11:30 a.m. at the Fordham University Church. Burial will follow at the Jesuit Cemetery in Auriesville, New York.
