Rev. Thomas M. Courtney

02/09/2005

The Rev. Thomas M. Courtney, 80, of St. Michael's Residence in Springfield died yesterday morning at Holyoke Health Care Center. His first assignment was at Sacred Heart Church, from 1951 to 1967. He also was an instructor at the former St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. Born in Holyoke on Nov. 11, 1924, son of Michael D. and Elizabeth McCarthy Courtney, he attended Blessed Sacrament Grammar School and was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke. He earned a degree in classics from St. Charles' College in Catonsville, Md., and degrees in philosophy from House of Philosophy and theology from the Grand Seminary, both in Montreal. He also attended Fordham University, Wharton School of Business and Seton Hall University. He did a sabbatical at St. John's Seminary in Boston. A priest in the Springfield Diocese for more than 50 years, he was ordained in 1951 by the late Bishop Christopher J. Weldon. He was pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Springfield from 1985 until retiring in 2001. His earlier assignments included St. Patrick's Church in Chicopee; instructor of nursing ethics at the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield; director of Our Lady of Providence Children's Center in West Springfield, now known as Brightside; Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield, and St. John's Church in Millers Falls. He was a past president of the Priests' Senate, dean of the Springfield Deanery I, a three-year member of the Bishop's Commission for the Clergy, a pioneer member of the Commission of Ecumenism, a delegate to three National Federation of Priests Council conventions, diocesan director of Catholic nurses, and area director and chaplain to the Berkshire County Boy Scouts of America. Rev. Courtney traveled around the United States as well as visiting the Holy Land, Australia, Asia, Europe and South America. He leaves a sister, Sister Mary Courtney of the Sisters of St. Joseph at Mont Marie in Springfield, and a brother, John P. Courtney of Lynnfield. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Father Thomas M. Courtney, who died Feb. 9, 2005, will be concelebrated Saturday at 10 at St. Patrick's Church, 1900 Allen Street, Springfield, by the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, and the Most Rev. Joseph F. Maguire, bishop emeritus of the diocese, followed by Rites of Committal at the Courtney family lot in Calvary Cemetery, Northampton Street, Holyoke. Calling hours will be held Friday afternoon from 2 to 5 at St. Patrick's Church; a vigil prayer service will begin at 7, and calling hours will conclude at 8:30. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Patrick's Church, 1900 Allen St., Springfield, MA, 01118 or to the Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund, 34 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA, 01040. Arrangements are by the Sampson Family Chapels of Springfield. He also leaves a nephew and several nieces. A sister, Elizabeth Courtney O'Brien, is deceased.

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