Carriero, John P. (Father)

Jesuit Father John P. Carriero died on June 8, 2016, in the Leo Center for Caring in Rochester, New York. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on Oct. 23, 1932, to Mary and John Carriero. He graduated from Canisius High School in 1950, and entered the Society of Jesus that summer at St. Andrew-on-Hudson in Poughkeepsie, New York. He spent two years as a novice, before professing first vows on Aug. 15, 1952.

In 1954, Fr. Carriero attended Bellarmine College in Plattsburg, New York, where he studied philosophy. He then continued philosophy studies at Loyola Seminary in Shrub Oak, New York. In 1957, Fr. Carriero began his regency at his alma mater, Canisius High School, where he taught Latin and English.

After three years he began theology studies to prepare for priestly ordination at Woodstock College in Maryland. On June 19, 1963, he was ordained at Canisius College and then returned to Woodstock for another year of studies.

In 1964, Fr. Carriero spent one year as a chaplain for the U.S. Air Force in Marne, France. Following his return in 1965, he studied Latin and Greek at Fordham University in New York City, where he professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1966.

Fr. Carriero joined McQuaid Jesuit that year, teaching Latin and Greek. In 1970, he began a 12-year tenure as a student counselor, a position he held until he took a one-year sabbatical to obtain his Masters of Education in counseling at the University of San Diego. He returned to McQuaid in 1983, working as both a high school and middle school guidance counselor.

Fr. Carriero was a devoted volunteer. For 25 years he celebrated Mass at the Monroe County Jail in Rochester. He would spend many summers in New York City at the Tombs Correctional Facility and at Goldwater Hospital, which serves low-income families. He also worked at the Maryland Training School for delinquent boys.

Known by many as the “Silent Knight,” for his quiet disposition and unassuming ways, Fr. Carriero touched the lives of thousands of young men as they navigated their way through McQuaid Jesuit High School. Fr. Carriero recently celebrated 50 years at the Rochester school, where he worked as a teacher and a counselor. He was honored at the school’s April awards ceremony with this year’s yearbook dedication.

Fr. Carriero is survived by his niece, Cathy Petrozzino.