AMHERST, Mass. (AP) – The Rev. Joseph Quigley, who spent more than 30 years as campus pastor at the University of Massachusetts, died on Thursday, the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese announced.

Quigley, who was 81, was remembered for his frequent advice: “Do what you can reasonably, and leave the rest to God.”

Quigley served at the UMass Newman Center beginning in 1960 and was its director for 15 years until he retired in 1993. He had conducted Saturday afternoon Mass at the center until recently.

“He brought so much love and warmth to the campus,” the Rev. Sean P. McDonagh, director of the Newman Center, told The Republican of Springfield. “He’s going to be missed.”

McDonagh, who met him as a UMass student in 1974, said Quigley helped lead him into the priesthood. “I was fascinated by his ability to help young people see God in their life,” he said.

McDonagh said Quigley had suffered from a nerve disorder and brain cancer.

Daniel M. Melley, the former vice chancellor for university relations and development at UMass, told The Republican he had known Quigley for 40 years, since both men arrived on campus.

“He thought the biggest problem with students coming to UMass was loneliness. He spent a lot of time counseling them,” Melley said.

Quigley grew up in Ware and attended American International College before serving as an infantryman in World War II. He later earned a marketing degree from Fordham University and studied for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Boston.

He was ordained in 1956 and served at St. Mary’s in Westfield before being assigned to UMass.

A wake was planned for noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Newman Center, followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. His funeral was to be Monday at 10 a.m. at the center.

AP-ES-06-11-05 1006EDT