Gallagher, Thomas J.

Fr. Thomas J. Gallagher, 71, died at Campion Center, Weston, MA on October 2, 2009. He was born in Hartford, CT and entered the Society in 1960, after graduation from Fairfield, CT University. After initial studies at Shadowbrook  in Lenox, MA and philosophy at Weston College he taught English and dramatics for    two years at Xavier High School in Concord, MA, then returned to Weston College to complete theology while earning a degree in educational counseling.  He returned then to Xavier High School to teach religion and to serve as assistant principal and when that school closed he went to our Cranwell Prep School  in Lenox to teach psychology and serve as educational counselor. In 1973 he went to Boston College High School to serve as director of educational counseling and  chaplain, and after tertianship and a year’s training in spiritual direction he served as assistant director of Novices from  1978 to 82. For the next ten years he conducted retreats and offered spiritual direction at Campion Renewal Center, and after a sabbatical year he continued these ministries at our intown Jesuit Urban Center.  He was very dedicated  to these ministries and quite creative in them- among other accomplishments he designed and conducted an entire retreat based on Broadway show tunes. He kept up-to-date with theatrical developments by travelling frequently to New York to see new shows, both “serious” theater and musicals. He continued in these ministries until 2005, when very serious health problems required him to move to Campion Health Center.