Br. Terence Tobin, CSV, died Dec. 1, 1923 in the infirmary at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais after a two-year illness. He was 72.
Br. Tobin was born Dec. 30, 1850 in the village of Fethard in County Tipperary in Ireland. He immigrated to Australia after finishing courses at St. Patrick’s College in Thurles, in County Tipperary. After several years in Australia, he came to America, where he entered the Viatorian Community in 1887.
Br. Tobin professed his first vows on Jul. 20, 1889 and perpetual vows on Jul. 4, 1901.
In the 1880s and early 1890s, Br. Tobin taught at the Bourbonnais District School where many of the future professional and business men of Kankakee and Bourbonnais were his students. At one time he served as Prefect of Discipline.
From 1895 to 1900, he taught at Holy Name Cathedral School in Chicago, before serving on the staff of St. Normal Institute in Chicago, until 1921, when he became incapacitated.
Leading up to his funeral, an honor guard of priest and brothers stayed with the body of the deceased for two days before the remains were transferred Marsile Hall, where they lay in state until the funeral on Dec. 4. The day before the funeral, students formed a double honor guard throughout the night.
The Rev. Walter J. Surprenant, CSV, Provincial of the Chicago Province celebrated the solemn requiem funeral Mass at Maternity of the Blessed Mary Church in Bourbonnais. Fr. John P. O’Mahoney, CSV, treasurer of the college, delivered the eulogy, describing his deceased brother’s life as one of self-denial.
After the church services, the members of the Viatorian Community escorted the body to Maternity BVM Cemetery, where they chanted the Office of the Dead.
Taken from “The Viatorian” – the college newspaper, the Christmas Number 1923, pp. 29-30