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Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Thomas I. Healy, Dies

Healy was a retired archdiocesan priest and pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Belmont Avenue in Chicago

Chicago (Jan. 19, 2021) – Rev. Thomas I. Healy, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Belmont Avenue, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at the age of 94.

Healy was born on March 24, 1926, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Healy was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1952, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 3 of the same year at Resurrection Parish in Chicago.

After ordination, Healy served as assistant pastor at St. Gertrude Parish on Glenwood Avenue and St. Ferdinand Parish on Barry Avenue, both in Chicago. Healy was also a professor at St. Mary of the Lake Junior College in Niles and Niles College of Loyola University in Chicago for a few years, and chaplain of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW). In 1977, Healy became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, a position he held until 2001. He retired in 2002.

Most Rev. John R. Gorman, retired auxiliary bishop, was one of Healy’s classmates. While recalling their seminarian days, Gorman remembered him as very bright and studious. “Fr. Healy shepherded his parish well and was loved by his parishioners. He had a constant love for the history of the Church and was a very fine theologian,” Gorman said. “He served with patience and was a wonderful priest.”

Funeral services will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 708 W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Visitation hours will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m., while the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Bishop Francis Kane. Registration to attend is required at this link.