Jan. 18, 2012
It is with great sadness that Villanova University announces the passing of Rev. William A. McGuire, O.S.A., '62 A&S, who passed away on Tuesday evening. Father McGuire served Villanova for nearly 30 years in a variety of capacities. The impact and influence of his work is evident throughout the University which continues to benefit from his many contributions as a student, alumnus, administrator and Augustinian.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. A wake will precede the Mass from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Burial will take place privately.
Father McGuire was born on January 2, 1939, in Washington, D.C. There, he attended Saint Gabriel's Parish School and Archbishop Carroll High School before spending a year as a postulant at Augustinian Academy in Staten Island, NY. He was received into the Order as a novice on September 9, 1957. After a year at Good Counsel Novitiate in New Hamburg, NY, Father McGuire professed first vows on September 10, 1958. He received a BA in Philosophy from Villanova University in 1962 and continued his education at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C., where he completed his theological studies and received an MA in 1966. Father McGuire professed solemn vows on September 10, 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood on October 29, 1965, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., by Bishop James McDonald.
His first assignment was at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa. From 1966-1979, he taught in the high school and served at times as the school's business manager, academic counselor and athletic director.
Father McGuire's first appointment at Villanova was in 1979 as an assistant director of Admission. This was followed by assignments as assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and assistant director in the Athletic Department. In 1990, he became the founding dean of the newly created Office of Enrollment Management and supervised the realignment of the offices of University Admission, Financial Assistance, Registrar and Part-Time and Continuing Studies. His tenure as dean was characterized by advances in University enrollment planning and significant growth in undergraduate student quality, financial assistance, enrollment related services and technological innovation.
In 1998, Father McGuire was appointed senior vice president for Administration with oversight responsibility for the offices of Budget, Finance, Facilities, Public Safety, Human Resources and Auxiliary Services. He served in that role for eight years and worked tirelessly to foster improvement throughout the University's administrative areas. During this time, he also chaired the University's Administrative Planning and Budget Committee, provided valued counsel to the University president and Board of Trustees and was a member of many boards of Augustinian high schools and colleges.
During his time at Villanova, Father McGuire was a passionate supporter of the Villanova Baseball team and his loyal dedication to the players and coaches was unmatched. Upon his retirement in 2009 the alumni and friends of Villanova Baseball created an endowment in his name to continue supporting the program.
After a sabbatical in 2006, Father McGuire served the Augustinian community as treasurer of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova until 2009. He remained a visible presence on campus as a resident of the Monastery and a fixture at basketball and baseball games until his health deteriorated.
