The Rev. Donald G. Clifford, 79, a Jesuit professor and executive at St. Joseph’s University, died of a stroke Monday at his university residence.
Father Clifford had been at St. Joseph’s since 1967, teaching theology from 1967 to 1976 and again from 1983 to 1998.

He was the university’s vice president for development in 1982 and 1983 and director of its Faith-Justice Institute from 1983 to 1990.

In 1967, Father Clifford became the first director of what is now the university’s Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations. He stepped down as director emeritus in 2007.

From 1974 until this year, he was minister in ecumenical relations for the university and the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, which administers the Jesuit order from South Jersey to North Carolina.

From 1975 to 1983, he was editor of the National Jesuit News, at the time published monthly during the academic year.

Born in Philadelphia, Father Clifford graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep in 1947 and what is now the university in 1951.

He entered the Jesuit order in 1951 and studied philosophy at Weston (Mass.) College from 1954 to 1956.

Before Cardinal Lawrence Shehan of Baltimore ordained him in 1962, he taught Latin, ancient Greek, English, and history at Scranton Prep from 1956 to 1959, then studied theology at Woodstock (Md.) College.

From 1964 to 1967, Father Clifford continued theological studies at the University of Strasbourg in France and made his final commitment to the Jesuits at St. Joseph’s in 1967.

From 1969 to 1983, he also served as chaplain at the Merion convent of the Sisters of the Assumption.

Father Clifford is survived by a niece, Jane Mickler.

A wake is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. today at Manresa Hall, 5600 City Ave. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd. Burial will be in the Jesuit Cemetery, Wernersville, Berks County.