Thomas O’Malley, at 79; BC dean was dedicated to his students

“He was a big man with a giant personality.’’ said the Rev. T. Frank Kennedy, rector of the Jesuit community at Boston College. “He was an incredible teacher in a charming way. As a student, he drew you into this wonderful world of ideas. As an adult, he drew you into this wonderful world of conversation.’’

Rev. O’Malley, a former dean at Boston College and former president of two Jesuit universities, died Wednesday from an apparent heart attack at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton. He was 79.

An accomplished educator, Rev. O’Malley had a great sense of dedication to his students.

“He was charmingly stubborn,’’ said his friend and former student, and Episcopal priest, the Rev. Richard Alton of Riverside, Conn. “If he wanted to do something, he’d do it. Particularly for his students. He loved his students.’’

Born in Milton, Rev. O’Malley attended Boston College High School in Dorchester, graduating in 1947.

He went on to attend Boston College and graduated in 1951 with a degree in classics. Later that year, he enrolled in Fordham University, where he studied classical languages. He graduated with a master of arts in 1952.

In 1953, Rev. O’Malley entered the Society of Jesus at the former Shadowbrook novitiate in Lenox.

He finished his theological studies at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, and was ordained as a priest in Brussels in 1961. After his consecration, Rev. O’Malley studied the literature and theology of the early Christian church at Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen in the Netherlands, taking a particular interest in the work of the prolific early Christian author Tertullian. He received his doctorate of letters there in 1967.

Later that year, Rev. O’Malley returned to the United States and took a position at Boston College as chairman of the university’s department of classical languages. He later became chairman of the theology department and was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1973.

Rev. O’Malley was known for his stirring and poignant sermons. His years of study gave him a formidable grasp of language and scripture readings that was appreciated by many parishioners.

Even with his impressive breadth of knowledge, Rev. O’Malley wore his intellect casually, and remained a very personable and engaging man.

“He was the kind of person who brightens your life just by being part of it,’’ said his friend, the Rev. Joseph Appleyard, vice president for university mission and ministry at BC. “He was the person in a conversation that everyone would gravitate toward.’’

In 1980, Rev. O’Malley moved to Cleveland, where he became president of John Carroll University.

Over the course of the next eight years, he oversaw a period of heightened construction and expansion for the university.

He guided renovation of the university’s school of business, and fostered development of several endowed faculty chairs and increased scholarship funds.

In 1989, after a year teaching in Nigeria, Rev. O’Malley served as rector of the Jesuit community at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., until 1991, when he was named the 13th president of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

During his eight-year tenure there, Rev. O’Malley presided over a rapidly expanding campus and directed a highly effective fund-raising operation that supported a period of extraordinary growth for the university.

“He was very skillful,’’ Appleyard said. “He had a huge impact on any student who came his way.’’

After a distinguished career as a university administrator, Rev. O’Malley returned to his alma mater, Boston College, as a professor in the Arts and Science Honors program, retiring in 2007.

One of his greatest joys in life was singing.

He had a deep bass singing voice, and he performed with the University Chorale for many years, and accompanied them on several international tours.

“He loved to sing,’’ said Alton. “He’d hang out at my house till the wee hours of the morning while I’d play piano and he’d belt out all sorts of songs. He was great to be around.’’

Rev. O’Malley leaves two brothers, Austin of Dedham and John of Milton, and a sister, Mary of Milton.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill. Burial will follow at Campion Center Cemetery in Weston.