Rev. Thomas P. McCarthy, CSV, died at 12:25 a.m. on December 25, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Home in Palatine. Fr. McCarthy was 87. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 12, 1920, the son of Thomas and Rose (McKernan) McCarthy. His parents and his brother Alfred preceded him in death. Six brothers and one sister survive him: James, Francis, Charles, Paul, Richard, Vincent, and Mrs. Theresa Baufford.
After completing his secondary education, he entered the Clerics of St. Viator and professed his first vows on August 19, 1947 in Bourbonnais, lllinois. He received his Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1949. He attended the Catholic University of America for seminary education. Bishop John McNamara ordained him to the priesthood on October 1, 1952 in Washington, D.C.
Fr. McCarthy taught at Alleman High School in Rock Island, Illinois from 1953-1959; Spalding Institute in Peoria, Illinois from 1959-1964 and at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1964-1973. He ended his teaching career when he became pastor at Our Lady of Wisdom Church in Reno, Nevada in 1973. In 1976 he was assigned as Associate Pastor at Holy Cross Church in Morgan City, Louisiana, where he served until 1979. He then became Associate Pastor at St. Viator Church in Chicago, Illinois.
After a year of study in Clinical Pastoral Education, Fr. McCarthy spent three years as Chaplain at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. From 1986 to 1989, he served as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church in Marlborough, Massachusetts. His last parish assignment was at Saints Peter and Paul Church in South Boston from 1989 to 1992. He then moved to the Province Center in Arlington Heights to become superior of the residence wing. After he retired, he assisted at neighborhood parishes, played his violin at area nursing homes and senior centers, and wrote his book, Forever A Priest. He also served as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and assisted with the Marriage Encounter and New Beginnings organizations.
Visitation was Wednesday, January 2, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Home, 80 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, Illinois. A wake service immediately followed visitation. The Mass of Resurrection was Thursday, January 3, at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Interment was in the Viatorian Community plot at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois.
Please remember our brother Tom in your Masses and prayers.
Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community on December 27, 2007 from the Provincial, Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV