Joe McIlvaine

February 6, 2024

Joe McIlvaine grew up in Narberth, attended St. Margaret’s School and graduated from Lower Merion HS in 1965.  He decided at that juncture of his life to enter St. Charles Seminary to study for the diocesan priesthood.  The class he entered with had 133 aspirants seeking the priesthood and it was the largest class ever and to this date. Ultimately, 59 men were ordained from this group. Joe spent 4 years there and received his BA from the college department, but he had something else tugging at his sleeve.  Joe had an opportunity to sign a pro baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers as a RHP which was a question Joe had to answer before he could make a final vocational decision.  Joe signed in 1969 and for the next 5 years played in their minor league system.  Joe was not able to reach the Major League level but was able to procure a scouting position with the Baltimore Orioles the next year.  In all, Joe worked for 8 different organizations over the course of a 50-year career in a variety of positions.

Joe met his future wife, Martha Anne while he was teaching the 4th grade at Our Mother of Good Counsel school in Bryn Mawr between baseball seasons.  Joe and Martha got married in November 1973 and God blessed them with 4 children and currently 6 grandchildren.  Joe is also a 21 year Knights of Immaculata retreatant at Malvern Retreat House.