ATLANTA--Father Martin V. Jarreau, SJ, founder of Ignatius House and older brother of former Ignatius House retreat director Father Niel Jarreau, SJ, died April 2 in New Orleans. He was 82.

Father Jarreau was born in New Orleans and entered the Society of Jesus at Grand Coteau, La. He was a member of the Jesuits for 60 years and a priest for 45 years.

Father Jarreau was assigned to administer the construction of Ignatius House after Suzanne Spalding Schroder donated her home and property on Riverside Drive in Atlanta to the Jesuits in 1957 for a retreat center.

During the three years it took to plan and build the retreat house, Father Jarreau led parish missions and celebrated Sunday liturgies in parishes throughout the archdiocese.

Father Jack Vessels, SJ, current director of Ignatius House, said that Father Jarreau was well liked.

"After he left, he continued to be a close friend," he said. "He was a very charming person. He had a lot of friends...he was very personable, very outgoing."

His brother, Father Niel Jarreau, served on the Ignatius House staff from 1983 until 1990. He is presently on the staff at the Montserrat Retreat House in Lake Dallas, Tex.

Father M. V. Jarreau also served as a teacher at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., vice-president for community relations at Loyola University in New Orleans, pastor of St. Ann's Church in West Palm Beach, Fla., and assistant director of the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Bureau.

A vigil service and funeral Mass were held at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans on April 6. Father Jarreau was buried at Grand Coteau.

In addition to his brother, Father Jarreau is survived by a sister, Marcelle Bendernagel of Metairie, La.