Rev. Msgr. Philip F. Thoni, CH (LTC)
Deceased: 2015-03-19
Diocese: KNOXVILLE
ICTE Spring: 1989
The Reverend Monsignor Philip Fenn Thoni died peacefully on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Green Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Nashville.Born on January 24, 1924 in Nashville, Monsignor Thoni (LTC Retired) was the son of the late Edward Albert and Aileen (Mayer) Thoni. His brothers, Edward, Charles and Horace, predeceased him.Monsignor Thoni attended grade school at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1942, and matriculated at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, St. Mary’s Seminary University, Baltimore, MD, St. Charles College, Catonsville, MD and Notre Dame University. He was ordained a priest in Nashville on June 4, 1949. He enjoyed numerous assignments at several parishes in Tennessee, including: Cathedral of the Incarnation, St. Patrick, Immaculate Conception, Knoville, St. John, Memphis, St. Rose of Lima, Murfreesboro. He joined the United States Army as a Catholic Chaplain in 1966 and was stationed at Ft. McClellan, AL, Ft Wadsworth, NY, Ft. Hamilton, New York, Ft. McPherson, GA and was involved in active duty for several tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm. He also enjoyed service in Okinawa and several bases in his favorite country of Germany. He traveled all over the world marveling at God’s beauty while making friends, serving God’s people, doing what he loved best–being a priest among the people.Nothing thrilled him more than serving as tour guide for parishioners and friends, introducing them to the beautiful churches, points of interest and good food of Europe. He treasured and maintained friendships with his classmates, fellow seminarians, fellow military personnel and friends all over the world. He touched too many lives to count as a parish priest, teacher and army chaplain during both times of peace and warfare. He taught and coached at Father Ryan High School, Nashville, Catholic High School, Memphis, and Knoxville Catholic High School. He retired for the first time on June 24, 1992. He then was assigned to St. Patrick, Morristown, Our Lady of Lourdes, Springfield, St. Michael Mission, Cedar Hill, St. Therese of Lisieux, Cleveland, TN, St. Mary Church, Gatlinburg and retired again on August 5, 2009 to St. Francis of Assisi, Fairfield Glade, after 60 years of ministry. He received the Bestowal of Papal Honor of Chaplain to his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on December 17, 2006 at Holy Ghost Parish by Bishop Kurtz. He loved the game of golf and was an avid tennis player, playing and winning many tournaments in the Army wherever he was stationed. He was known for his kindness, generous heart and willingness to help those in need. He treasured and firmly believed in Catholic education and generously donated to Catholic Schools throughout his life. He lived his life devoted to God and the church, always proclaiming “God has been good.”Affectionately known by family as “Father Philip,” survivors include his sister-in-law, Rose Thoni Hornberger (Horace); nieces, Angela Power (Peter), Phylis Herrin (Clayton), Maureen White (David); nephews, Joseph Thoni (Libby), Jim Thoni (Charlotte), Ronnie Thoni; great-nieces, Meredith Power, Elizabeth Thoni; great-nephews, Peter Power, Jr. (Krista), Nicholas Power, Andrew Thoni, Elliott Herrin, Will Thoni, and Baird Thoni; great-great-nephews, Nolan Philip Power and Bennett Drew Power. He was a wonderful, loving and caring “father” to all of his family and will be greatly missed.His family would like to extend special thanks to Father John Dowling and the kind parish family of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Glade, who watched over him, and a very special thanks for the wonderful, loving care from his earthly angels at Mary Queen of Angels, Nashville, and the kind 2nd floor nursing staff at Green Hills Health and Rehab.Visitation will be Friday, March 27, 4-7 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, West End Avenue, Nashville, TN with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at Cathedral of the Incarnation, with Bishop Joseph Stika, Knoxville Diocese, and Bishop David Choby, Nashville Diocese, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, with visitation one hour prior to service, followed by burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery in the Thoni family plot.
