FR. THATCHER SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND
The St. Ignatius School Foundation established the Fr. Thatcher Tuition Assistance Fund in honor of Father John Thatcher, SJ. Fr. Thatcher retired in 1994 after having served the school and parish for almost 30 years. He brought smiles and joy to the children of St. Ignatius School and Parish. He retired to Spokane, Washington, where he ministered to residents in the local retirement homes.
Fr. Thatcher passed away on November 19, 2003, at the age of 87, in the Jesuit infirmary at Gonzaga University following a rich, long life. Fr. John, or Faddy as he was sometimes afectionaly called by the children, was a Jesuit for 69 years and a priest for 56 years. He served at St. Ignatius for at total of 29 years at two different assignments and for eight years at St. Aloysius Parish in Spokane between his years at St. Ignatius.
Adults who attended St. Ignatius have fond memories of Fr. Thatcher and the care and attention he gave to children. Favorite memories include how Fr. Thatcher could make a quarter magically appear from a child’s ear or the rabbit puppets he made from a handkerchief. He and his bass were an important part of the folk choir for many years and his paintings often fetched top dollar at the St. Ignatius annual auctions, with donors often competing vigorously to outbid each other to impressive amounts.
Fr. Thatcher treated each child as a treasure, but the real treasure was Fr. Thatcher and his unselfish service to the school and the parish. The Fr. Thatcher Tuition Assistance Fund – now the Fr. John Thatcher Scholarship Endowment Fund – will assure that the loving memory of him will be perpetuated throughout the St. Ignatius community.
The Fund is supported through designated donations and a fundraising golf tournament has been held in the past with proceeds going to the fund. It has become an important part of the future financial security of St. Ignatius School and the families who chose to send their children here.
Fr. Thatcher passed away on November 19, 2003, at the age of 87, in the Jesuit infirmary at Gonzaga University following a rich, long life. Fr. John, or Faddy as he was sometimes afectionaly called by the children, was a Jesuit for 69 years and a priest for 56 years. He served at St. Ignatius for at total of 29 years at two different assignments and for eight years at St. Aloysius Parish in Spokane between his years at St. Ignatius.
Adults who attended St. Ignatius have fond memories of Fr. Thatcher and the care and attention he gave to children. Favorite memories include how Fr. Thatcher could make a quarter magically appear from a child’s ear or the rabbit puppets he made from a handkerchief. He and his bass were an important part of the folk choir for many years and his paintings often fetched top dollar at the St. Ignatius annual auctions, with donors often competing vigorously to outbid each other to impressive amounts.
Fr. Thatcher treated each child as a treasure, but the real treasure was Fr. Thatcher and his unselfish service to the school and the parish. The Fr. Thatcher Tuition Assistance Fund – now the Fr. John Thatcher Scholarship Endowment Fund – will assure that the loving memory of him will be perpetuated throughout the St. Ignatius community.
The Fund is supported through designated donations and a fundraising golf tournament has been held in the past with proceeds going to the fund. It has become an important part of the future financial security of St. Ignatius School and the families who chose to send their children here.