Roscommon priest remembered for life of dedicated work

A County Roscommon priest has been remembered for a life of dedicated work, improving parishes, building a school and even allowing his home to be used as a temporary post office.

Fr Tom O’Connor, St Patrick’s Missionary Society, from Loughglynn sadly passed away after a short illness and was laid to rest last week.

Thomas Dennis O'Connor, popularly known as Tom, was born on the 11th of January 1934 to George O'Connor and Annie (nee) Connelly in Loughglynn, County Roscommon. He attended Loughglynn National School from 1939 to 1947. He began his secondary education in Saint Nathy’s, Ballaghaderreen from 1947 to December 1949.

In January 1950, he continued his education at Terenure College for six months. His final two years of secondary school were spent as a boarder in the Dominican College, Newbridge, County Kildare. 

In 1952, Tom joined the spiritual year in Kiltegan. He studied philosophy and theology in Kiltegan and was ordained with his 23 classmates on the 23rd of May 1959 by Bishop Thomas McKettrick SPS, Bishop of Ogoja in Saint Mary's Church, Killamoat. His class was the biggest ever to be ordained for Saint Patrick's Missionary Society.

After ordination, Father Tom was appointed to the Diocese of Ogaja, Nigeria, and worked in All Saints Parish. In 1968, he returned to Ireland to support and be near his ageing parents. He was appointed to the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois and worked in Newtowncashel and Clonturk. In 1975, he requested to be transferred to his home Diocese of Elphin. After much discernment, he asked to be incardinated into the Diocese of Elphin, which was granted in 1988.

While serving in Elphin Diocese, Tom worked in Breedogue, Boyle, Ballyleague, Lecarrow, Roosky and Geevagh. One of his parishioners in Geevagh stated that he transformed the parish by renovating the church and parish house. He also oversaw the building of a new school which drew students from nearby villages.

He was credited with saving the post office, which was was threatened by closure. He brought it into his house until a family took it over. Tom was a man to build close relations with local government officials who helped to get things done.

After spending 34 years in Elphin Diocese, he reapplied to join the Society. He was readmitted to the Society in Kiltegan on 11th of June 2009. He worked in Portlaoise Parish in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin for almost 10 years until he retired to Kildegan in September 2020. 

Tom was admitted to Naas Hospital on the 19th of August and died peacefully at noon on the 22nd of August. Tom was predeceased by his parents, George and Annie, his sister, Sister Maura FMM. He is survived by his cousins and extended family and a society family.