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Biography
My name is Robert Power McInroy and I was born July 25, 1938; I am sixty-six years old. I was born to Ruby Elizabeth Power and William Pow McInroy, in Salmon Creek, on my grandparents farm, in New Brunswick. I grew up in North Minto and in Chatham; both in N.B, I had nine siblings: six brothers and three sisters. I am the second child. A brother and sister died in the early eighties: my brother in a traffic accident, at forty-one and my sister from a cerebral hemorrhage, at thirty-nine.
Both my parents are deceased: my mother, from several strokes, in 1986, aged seventy-one and my father, at age seventy-seven, in 1987, of skeletal cancer.
I was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on December 19, 1964. I taught school for the equivalent of ten years. As prerequisite for ordination, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, University of Notre Dame (1961) and Bachelor of Theology degree, University of Montreal (1965). I received my teachers' certificate, from the Ontario College of Education (1966). Before I went to the novitiate, I did freshman and sophomore at the University of St. Joseph, in N.B. Novitiate was one year, in Vermont: 1958-59.
I retired to the Holy Cross Fathers' Residence in Welland, ON, Canada, with nine other retirees.
Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce that Reverend Robert McInroy, CSC, passed away on June 3rd, 2007 in Toronto after a prolonged battle with Sporadic Ataxia and MSA (Multiple System Atrophy).
As per his request, his body has been donated for research purposes and, hopefully, to assist in disclosing the genetic code to this devastating illness he so courageously bore during the past six years.
We, his religious and biologic family, are extremely grateful to all of you for your ongoing support to both Bob and us over the years since he was first diagnosed. We are especially appreciative of all the advice, support and input given us by those who have/had a loved one affected by this condition. It has all been so invaluable to us as we attempted to keep on top of things as we journeyed along this mysterious path.
We are so grateful for all your efforts and hope that as time unfolds, we may return the favors.
Father Robert Power McInroy, CSC
Born July 25, 1938 in Salmon Creek, NB, he was the son of the late William P. and Ruby E. Power McInroy of Oromocto, NB. After graduation from St. Thomas College School in Chatham, NB, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross. His novitiate was in Bennington, VT; he did his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame; at the Scolasticat ND de Ste. Croix, Montreal he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the University of Montreal. He was ordained priest December 19, 1964.
Later, he earned a degree in Education at the University of Toronto; he did post-graduate studies in London, UK and Dublin, Ireland, and became certified in Clinical Pastoral Education at Toronto Western and Queen Street Mental Health Centre.
Prior to being stricken with Ataxia and MSA, Father McInroy served the Holy Cross Fathers and the church in a rich variety of ministries. He began as a high school teacher in Niagara for four years and was a Religion Consultant for the then Welland County Roman Catholic School Board for five years. He did pastoral work in Montreal, Edmonton, British Columbia, Welland and New Brunswick, where he was also Director of Villa Madonna Retreat House in Saint John. He did formation work for his community and ultimately was elected Provincial Superior.
He is survived by seven siblings: Sheila (Frank) Talbot of Fredericton; Janet (Frank) Reilly of Oromocto; John (Joyce) of Edmonton; Cameron (May) of Oshawa; Lauchlan of Toronto; Steven (Judy) of Fredericton and Alan of Vancouver; several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother William and his sister RoseAnn.
Father McInroy has donated his body for scientific research, Consequently, the Holy Cross Fathers will celebrate a memorial mass for him at St. Kevin’s Church, 303 Niagara Street, Welland, Ontario on June 18, 2007 at 11am.
He requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the following: Anatomical Research Fund (Ataxia), University of Toronto and mailed to: Division of Anatomy, Medical Sciences Building and University of Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8.
Yours truly,
The McInroy Family