The Rev. Albert Jenemann, 82; St. Joe's educator

The Rev. Albert H. Jenemann, 82, former chairman of the philosophy department and vice president at St. Joseph's University, died of cancer on Tuesday at Manresa Hall, the college's infirmary.

Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from West Catholic High School and studied for two years at the Merchant Marine Academy before entering the Society of Jesus in 1947, becoming a priest in 1960.

While studying toward the priesthood, he taught religion and mathematics at Loyola High School in Towson, Md., from 1954 to 1957, before focusing on theological studies at Weston (Mass.) College.

After ordination, Father Jenemann taught philosophy, first in the 1962-63 academic year at what is now Loyola University in Baltimore, then at Wheeling (W.Va.) Jesuit University from 1963 to 1966.

He earned a doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1969, then returned to teach the subject until 1974 at Wheeling, where he was also rector of the Jesuit community from 1971 to 1974.

His 1974-80 term as chairman of the St. Joseph's philosophy department was followed by a 1980-83 term as director of the Faith and Justice Institute there.

Father Jenemann's top administrative assignment at St. Joseph's was to be both dean of students and vice president from 1982 to 1992.

The Jesuit priest moved a few blocks down City Avenue to become philosophy professor from 1982 to 1988 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, the incubator for parish priests of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

From 1992 to 1996, he was assistant tertian director of the Maryland Province of Jesuits, which covers Philadelphia. Tertianship is defined as the third and last period in which a priest has a period of study and reflection before taking final vows.

From 1996 until last year, he continued to teach and counsel students at St. Joseph's.

Father Jenemann is survived by sisters Maryann Cornell and Barbara Mack.

A wake was set from 2 to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Manresa Hall, 261 City Ave., Merion, with a prayer service at 3:30. A second wake, from 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd, is to be followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass there. Burial is to follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.