Fr. Thomas Shaughnessy, O.F.M.
Fr. Thomas Shaughnessy, O.F.M., age 81, of St. Francis Solanus Friary, Quincy, IL, died on Sat., Nov. 29, 2014, at 4:42 pm in Blessing Hospital. He was born on Aug. 3, 1933, in St. Louis, MO. His parents were Thomas Shaughnessy and Margaret nee Moore, both of whom preceded him in death. In 1947 he entered St. Joseph Seminary, Westmont, IL, to study for the priesthood in the Sacred Heart Province of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). He professed his solemn perpetual vows July 5, 1954, in Cleveland, OH, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1960, in Teutopolis, IL.
Fr. Tom had experienced a variety of ministries, including being chaplain at a high school, an assistant pastor, pastor, certified special education teacher, and minister to the needy at the Franciscan Connection in St. Louis, MO. At the age of over 60 he understood that there was a need in the Church for more friars to minister to Hispanic people, and so he learned to speak and write Spanish.
Fr. Tom was known as being very caring of people and for his sense of humor and Irish wit. As a man of deep faith, Fr. Tom’s life as a Franciscan and his love for the priestly ministry were first and foremost. His latest assignment was Senior Associate and Hispanic Ministry at St. Francis Solanus Parish, where he served for nine years.
He is survived by his brother Richard (Dorothy) Shaughnessy, of Carlisle, PA, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and his Franciscan family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Evola (Harry) Knight.
In lieu of flowers and in your kindness, please consider making a donation to the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO, 63118, for the care of the elderly and infirm friars.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at St. Francis Church with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Fr. Tom was new to St. Francis of Assisi in St. Louis, Mo. He was invited to our house by my son on my sons first Communion Day. Fr. Tom always commented that our home was one of the first homes he was invited to when he arrived. Three years ago, Fr. Tom came to St. Louis to help assist at the marriage of that same son and his wife. Fr. Tom was very special to us and we will miss him and his yearly Christmas letter and card. Christmas will never be the same without those letters. God love you Fr. Tom. I know we loved you in life and now God will get the joy of having you with him. Condolences to his family.
Father Tom was a wonderful person. Mom wife Karen and I served on a Teens Encounter Christ weekend a couple of years ago. He was concerned that he was to old to bond with the teenagers making the retreat. The young people loved Fr. Tom and he loved them. About 6 weeks ago, I heard Father Tom give a great (short) sermon at 6:30AM Mass on “How to interpret God’s will in our lives.” It was very practical and easy to understand. Fr. Tom had a gift of explaining something in such a way that it made it easier to understand the point he was talking about.
Dear family of Father Tom and Franciscan Friars,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Father Tom. He has been such a blessing to our Hispanic Ministry and was loved by all of us. His gentleness and kindness were always present and he was so generous in his dedication and love of sharing the gospel message. May he rest in the loving arms of Jesus and Mary. In sympathy and prayer, Sr. Jane Boos, SSND
Dear Friars & Parishioners of St. Francis,
What a blessing that Fr. Shaughnessy was to the Church of our Diocese, the Quincy Community, and the wider Franciscan family. I am personally sad that he has passed, but know that he will live on in our hearts and in the lives of many who he touched in his priestly ministry. I am confident that he has already heard the Lord’s greeting, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
I will forever remember, and be grateful for, the fabulous experience Tom and I shared travelling on the Assisi Pilgrimage in 1994. May the wind blow gently on his back, and the Lord smile kindly on his Irish face!
Dear Sacred Heart Provence , Father Shaughnessy was a fine man and priest, I last saw him this past summer eating at Subway on Broadway. We chatted a long time while eating together, I will pray for his soul. Requiescat in Pace. Paul K. Geers, President of the Latin mass Society of Quincy/Historic St. Rose of lima Church.
The Lord needed a new joke teller and He evidently needed an Irishman. He got a good one! We will miss Fr. Tom as we thoroughly enjoyed him.
Barb & Mike Hutmacher