Michael Proterra,

September 12, 1942 - August 28, 2014

Text:

Obituary For Michael Proterra,

Fr. Michael Proterra, S.J. was born on September 12, 1942 in Aruba, a Dutch island in the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela. At age 18, he went to Georgetown University, and after graduation, entered the Society of Jesus. He was ordained a priest in 1971. He studied Philosophy and Theology, and taught those subjects at several Jesuit schools, including St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and at Loyola University in Baltimore. He served twelve years as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Fr.

Mike came in 2006 to St. Raphael Church in Raleigh, and faithfully ministered to its parishioners, counselling and sharing Ignatian spirituality, and organizing the Jesuit Speaker Series each year.

Fr. Mike died in Baltimore on August 28th, 2014 after living 50 years as a Jesuit. He recently spoke of his life as “a search for community and companionship through a life of prayerful service of the neighbor.” We will miss Fr. Mike a lot!

El Padre Michael Proterra, S.J. nació el 12 de septiembre, 1942 en Aruba, una isla holandesa en el mar Caribe, al norte de Venezuela. A los 18 años, empezó a estudiar en la Universidad de Georgetown, de donde se graduó, y luego entró en la Compañía de Jesús. Se ordenó sacerdote en 1971. Estudiaba la filosofía y la teología, y enseñaba esas materias en varias escuelas jesuitas, incluso la Universidad de San José en Filadelfia y la Universidad de Loyola en Baltimore. Sirvió 12 años como Decano del Colegio universitario de Artes y Ciencias de la Universidad de Creighton en Omaha, Nebraska.

Padre Mike vino en 2006 a la iglesia de San Rafael en Raleigh, y servía fielmente a los feligreses ahí, dando consejos y compartiendo la espiritualidad ignaciana, y organizando cada año la serie de oradores jesuitas.

Padre Mike murió en Baltimore después de vivir 50 años como Jesuita. Recientemente habló de su vida como “una búsqueda de comunidad y de hermandad por medio de una vida de servicio entregado del prójimo.” ¡Lo vamos a extrañar mucho!

Services

9 Sep

Funeral Service

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

St. Raphael the Archangel R.C. Church 5801 Falls of the Neuse Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • September 01, 2020

    Stephanie G.

    I'm so sorry for for the loss of your loved one. I just wanted to share a message with you from the bible at Revelation 21:4 this give us hope of a time when we wont have to worry about death.

  • September 01, 2020

    Lisa Padian

    I knew Fr. Mike from 1976 to 1996. During that time he was my teacher at Loyola University, my boss at Loyola University and my friend. I am sad that we lost touch over the years but I have so many very fond memories of our friendship during that time. I am certain that God will reward Fr. Mike for his many years of service to His Church and I hope we will meet again some day.

  • September 01, 2020

    Joe Smolenski

    Sent a gift in memory of Michael Proterra,

  • September 01, 2020

    Anna Nusca

    "Fr. P" will be sorely missed, I'm sure, by many. I've known him for 34 years, first as a teacher, then as a mentor & spiritual advisor and most preciously, as a friend. He taught me Philosophy, Theology and Ethics at Loyola College in the 80's. My husband, Mike and I did our pre-marital counseling with him. He recently celebrated with us, over the phone, our 30th Wedding Anniversary. He shared the blessing of the meal at our Wedding Reception. He loved festive gatherings, whether small or large. As a couple, we loved going to dinner with him in Baltimore. He would reserve the table under the name "Pro." We were blessed to visit Fr. Mike in Nebraska, as a family, as he wrapped up his deanship there. Throughout the years, he reciprocated with visits to Westminster and Abingdon to see us at our home, while getting to know our son, Ben, as well. Emails, letters and phonecalls were always an additional treasured experience in between visits. We will continue to treasure the endearing laughter and fascinating discussions we shared together as friends. We were planning a September reunion of reminiscing and more laughter. We will now look forward to that occasion in heaven and 'til then, continue remembering and celebrating his spirit with our family and friends. I will never forget him and the indelible mark of faith and love he made on my life. "THANK YOU, Fr. P. We love you!" Our condolences to Mike's precious family. We always loved when he shared about his parents, sister, brother and extended family. Your followers and friends in Christ, Anna Marie Hurbanis Nusca, husband, Michael Joseph and son, Benjamin

  • September 01, 2020

    David and Bettu Mullaney

    Sent a gift in memory of Michael Proterra,

  • September 01, 2020

    Brian Schuller

    Our whole family has been saddened by the news of Fr. Proterra's passing. He prepared my wife and I for marriage, presided at our wedding, baptized our first daughter, and blessed our new home. We'll remember fondly sharing these occasions with him. May he rest in peace, and may the Lord give comfort to his family

Add a Candle or Spiritual Image

Click below to add to your message.