Rev. John D. Thomas
Deceased: 2010-07-15
Diocese: WORCESTER
Seminary Graduation Year: 1955
Rev. John D. Thomas, 82, of 30 Julio Drive, former Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Worcester and servant of God for more than 56 years, died on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in UMassMemorialHospital, University Campus, Worcester. He leaves several nephews and nieces. His sister, Therese M. McKinney predeceased him.
Father Thomas was born in Worcester, a son of David and Eugenia (Haddad) Thomas and lived and served the community in Worcester County most of his life. He graduated from North High School and received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Boston College in 1950. He then attended the seminary of Philosophy in Montreal, Canada before moving to The Pontifical North American College in Rome in 1951.
Father Thomas was ordained on December 8, 1954, at The Pontifical North American College where he had completed his studies for the priesthood and received Bachelor’s and Licentiate degrees from the Gregorian University.
After his ordination he was made associate pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption, Milford; St. Anne Parish, Southborough; and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Spencer. In 1956, he was the assistant director of the diocesan Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. In 1958, he was named a Latin teacher in diocesan schools. He taught at St. Stephen’s Elementary School and Sacred Heart Academy. In July 1961, he was appointed headmaster of St. Peter’s Central Catholic High School and assistant to the diocesan superintendent of schools. Father Thomas also taught medical ethics to nurses at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
In 1964, Father Thomas earned a Master’s degree in guidance and psychology from Assumption College in Worcester. He was appointed diocesan superintendent of schools on July 1, 1966, a position he held until June 15, 1974. He was then named director of the diocesan Department of Education. In 1976, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in West Boylston. He was chairman of the diocesan Building Commission and was a consultant to the architects in the construction of Marian High School and Holy Name High School in Worcester. Father Thomas also was appointed to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In 1978, he was appointed to the faculty of The Pontifical North American College in Rome and also served as the business manager of the American seminary and graduate school there. Father Thomas served at the College in Rome until 1985 when he returned to the United States and was named pastor of St. Columba Parish in Paxton. He served the people of St. Columba Parish until his retirement in 2003.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 19th, in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester. The Most Rev. George E. Rueger will be the Main Celebrant. Burial will be in the family plot in Notre Dame Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 18th, at Christ the King Church, wherein Father Thomas will lie in state. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. in the church. Please omit flowers and remember Father Thomas with contributions to the Clergy Benefit Plan, P.O. Box 498, North Uxbridge, MA 01538.
