Thomas McKiernan Obituary

our prayers many, our thanks many more . amen

our prayers, many, to one of the best and beautiful family,. amen

From the Sturino Family, we were very fortunate to acquire both friendship and spiritual guidance in our lives. One beautiful family... Prayers, Peace.

Both a dear friend and pastoral to our sturino Family, our prayers , peace to Father Thomas M and the whole family.

Truly, one of our best freindships and pastoral care at St. Angela . Loved those roller hockey games, and one beautiful sister, Mary, and family, one dedicated housekeeper Bridget Malone.Prayers, peace, many thanks.

From the sturino family, many thanks for a beautiful freindship. Prayers, peace , and to Mary, sister , and family.

I came to know Fr. Tom from being close friends with one of his ordination classmates, Fr. Charlie Skach.
As time passed, the three of us would be going out to dinner often, which was always a pleasant event.
I learned a lot about their experiences and history at Quigley and St Mary's. I could never deal with all
they were required to endure to achieve being ordained. These men are MEN, true heros.

Tom was quite a classic movie aficionado, with his favorite actor being Steve McQueen. He likely had
every movie of Steve's on tape. He actually lent me "The Hunter" after I mentioned seeing the actual filming
of the scene of the car flying out of Marina Towers into the Chicago River as I was walking to my bus stop.

Tom, just like all the other Class of 1951 I was privileged to grow into friendships with, was a real sweet soul.
Very personable, very warm-hearted, very caring, very attentive and considerate to whoever he was talking with.
He was a great guy.
He was a great friend.
He was a great Priest.

We lived one block from St. Agnes in Chicago Heights in the mid-1960's. While I didn't go to St. Agnes school, I knew of Father McKierran from seeing him throw the football and shoot baskets on the playground with the students.

Then at Marian High School , I became friends with Paul Marshall, both of us were advid hockey fans. He told me that he played roller hockey , since at that time there were no indoor ice rinks in our area (1965). Paul said that the priest from St. Agnes rented out the old Bloom Roller Rink and had an "ice time" on that old green vinyl floor. We had a great time, I remember Father McKierran and his old black hockey pants and his brown leather hockey gloves with the palms rotted out from sweat. I also remember playing in the roller rink when the tempterature was in the 90's outside. Wow, did that place smell of sweat , when we were done. Back in 1965 , Father McKierrnan was ahead of his time, he was the fittest adult I knew , who could keep up with teenagers in roller hockey. Plus, I remember his 1964 Black Buick Riveria. I thought that was the sharpest car I had ever rode in. Especially, when we went down to the old Coliseum (Wabash and 9th) to scrimage a "professional roller hockey team", but they never showed, because it was really snowing hard that night.

Also, I remember Father McKierrnan's mother's wake and how he sat with some of the roller hockey players while he accecpted condolences from St.Agnes parishioners at Spindler_Koening Funeral Home.

I have not seen Father McKierrnan since the late 80's at a Hawks game. He still looked the same as when he was stationed in Chicago Heights. We talked a little bit and he still remembered that we shared the same birthday (May 8) 25 years apart.

I wish I would have been informed of his passing . I would have liked to say good bye , in Palos Park, to someone who so generous .

He was one of the best adult role models I came in contact with during my teen years. I am really glad that I knew Father Thomas McKierrnan.

I was sad to hear of Father Tom's passing. I am also a graduate of the St. Odilo class of '81. I have many great memories of his visits to the Molloy house. He was always so kind to our family. He taught me how to play golf, raquetball, and most importantly, taught me to have faith in God. You'll be missed by many...

I was paging through the Tribune this weekend and learned of Fr. McKiernan's passing...



I was a student at St. Odilo School during his tenure there and even worked at the rectory after school and on weekends, where I was able to enjoy Father Tom's humorous commentary often! I still remember that oversized emerald green coffee mug of his that no one else was to touch. Being one of the 'proud Irish' families in the parish, Father even blessed The Daly household with his gregarious presence at my 8th grade graduation party ('81!), which certainly lent some excitement to the proceedings.



I'm pleased to hear that Father McKiernan was able to touch many lives in similar fashion during his lengthy service to the Church.

We remember a loving and caring parish priest. Father McKiernan watched over our children and the children of St. Alexander's with care and good humor. He remembered every child's name, and with his pocket full of Joly Ranchers, jokes, and gentle kidding, he was a magnet for the children. He taught us that another name for heaven is Ireland, and made us proud to be Irish. We remember him as the best priest we've ever known at St. Alexander's. May God bless him and reward him for his ministry and faithfulness to the Church. Walt and Julie Kay

my sympathy to Father Tom'siblings, especially Grace and

Mary .TOM and I were were pals in seminary years,when Tom held his own in basketball,and shot a mean game of pool at Jim's pool hall, 59th and Halsted in good old VIS,

some60 years ago .RIP, "Bunny"!Illness prevents my attending Wake and Funeral Mass.Slainte!!