Submitted by: Dan Rich
Oct. 7, 1911 - March 20, 1997
South Bend Tribune 3/21/1997
The Rev. Alfred J. Neff, CSC, 85, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., on Thursday, March 20, 1997. Father Neff was born in Conesville, Iowa, the son of Mary and Frank Neff. He attended Hawkeye Public School and Parnell High School in Iowa. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1936. Father Neff studied theology at the Holy Cross Foreign Mission Seminary, Washington, D.C., from 1936 until 1940.
Father Neff entered the novitiate at Notre Dame on July 1, 1931, where he professed his vows one year later. He made his perpetual profession on Aug. 16, 1935. On June 24, 1940, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, he was ordained to the priesthood.
From 1940-52, Father Neff served in the foreign missions in Bangladesh. From 1952 until 1958, Father Neff was the religious superior of the Holy Cross Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington, D.C. Father Neff returned to the foreign missions of Bangladesh in 1958, where he remained until 1991. Father Neff lived at Casa Santa Cruz in Phoenix, Ariz., from 1991 until 1994. Since 1994, Father Neff had lived at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame. Father Neff is survived by his sister, Lucy Neff, and by his brother, Miles Neff.
Friends may call after 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, where a wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. Burial will be in the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame. Hickey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.