Gannon, Thomas M.

Dear Brothers,

Fr. Thomas M. Gannon, S.J. (CDT), who died at 4:45 P.M. (EST) on December 19, 2011 at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan.  May he rest in peace.

Tom was born on October 19, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. He entered the Society of Jesus on September 1, 1954 at Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on June 8, 1967 at St. Joseph Church in Aurora, Illinois, and professed final vows on December 8, 1975.

Tom entered the Society of Jesus after graduating from Loyola Academy, Chicago.  During regency Tom taught at Loyola Academy in its new building in Wilmette, Illinois, and at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland.  Tom worked in the Province Office (as associate director of Province Planning, director of  the Social Apostolate and social ministries planning, Provincial Assistant for Jesuits in Formation, and Provincial Assistant for Special Projects).  Tom taught at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) and served as Chairman of the Department of Sociology.  He was director and superior of the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington, DC, and he served as the administrator of Holy Family Parish in Chicago.  Most recently, Tom was the Director of the Heartland Center in East Chicago, Indiana, and the Director of Peace and Social Justice in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana.

Suffrages: As we remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God’s people, we are reminded of our privilege and obligation to offer Masses and prayers for his eternal repose.  All members of the Chicago-Detroit Province and those applied to it are to offer one Mass for Tom. Members of the Colombiere Jesuit Community will offer one additional Mass.  All will wish to remember Tom in their prayers and Masses.