Fr. John A. Toolan, CSV, died Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 1:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Home in Palatine, Illinois. Fr. Toolan was 96. He was born in Belfast, N. Ireland on December 13, 1907 and was the son of the late James and Mary Neeson Toolan. Fr. Toolan was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Murty Toolan, Rev. James Toolan, CSV, and one sister, Mrs. James Savage. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Norrie Toolan, Belfast, N. Ireland and many nieces and nephews all living in Ireland.
Fr. Toolan professed First Vows as a Viatorian August 15, 1931 at Fournier Institute in Chicago, lllinois, Final Vows September 1, 1934 at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and was ordained as priest by Bishop Ireton on February 16, 1943 at Catholic University.
He attended Christian Brothers High School in Belfast (1921-23, 1925-27), Garvey College in Belfast (1927-28) and St. Viator College, Bourbonnais, Illinois (1931-33), and graduated with a B.A. in Latin. He also graduated from Catholic University of America (1938-43) with an M.A. in Economics. He attended Catholic University, Washington, D.C. for seminary studies (1939-43) and completed graduate studies at Normal School, Bloomington, Illinois (1946). He also completed graduate studies at the University of Illinois.
His first assignment was to Cathedral Boys’ High School, Springfield, Illinois as teacher (1933-38). He served as teacher at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois (1943-44), Cathedral Boys’ High School, Springfield, Illinois (1944-50), Stepinac High School, White Plains, New York (1950-52), St. Philip High School, Chicago, Illinois (1952-53), Spalding Institute, Peoria, Illinois (1953-55), Mendel High School, Chicago, Illinois (1956-58), St. Patrick High School, Kankakee, Illinois (1958-62), Marian High School, Chicago Heights, Illinois (1962-63). Other assignments include the Provincial House – St. Gregory’s, Chicago, Illinois (1955-56), Administrator at Immaculate Conception Church, Kankakee, Illinois (1960), Associate Pastor at both St. Joseph Church, Springfield, Illinois (1963-1966), and St. Martin Church, Martinton, Illinois, (1966-1969). Fr. Toolan moved to the Province Center residence, Arlington Heights, Illinois (1969-2002) and then to St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, Palatine, Illinois, where he resided until his death.
Visitation was held at St. Joseph’s Home located at 80 West Northwest Highway, Palatine, Illinois on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Immediately following the visitation, the Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 4 p.m. in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Home. Burial was on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 10 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
Please remember our brother Fr. Toolan and his family in your Masses and prayers.