Father Thomas H. Hultquist, 76, senior priest at St. George Parish, Worcester

Father Thomas H. Hultquist, 76, senior priest in residence at St. George Parish in Worcester, passed away July 12 at Notre Dame Healthcare in Worcester.

Father Hultquist was born Oct. 2, 1948, in Whitinsville, the son of Carl H. and Antoinette (Abbate) Hultquist.  

Father Hultquist's early education began at the Good Shepherd School in Linwood, where he first felt the call to serve. He graduated in 1966 from Uxbridge High School and in 1968 from Glastonbury Latin School in Hingham. He studied for the priesthood from 1968 to 1976 at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1976, by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan in St. Paul Cathedral. He served as associate pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Worcester; St. Joseph Parish, North Brookfield; St. Camillus de Lellis Parish, Fitchburg, and St. Peter Parish, Worcester, before being appointed associate at St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster.  

On March 20, 1992, he was named temporary administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Barre, and St. Augustine Mission, Wheelwright. He was named administrator in July 1992 and was appointed pastor on April 23, 1993. He was appointed to special ministry effective July 6, 2013. On July 1, 2014 he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lancaster. On July 1, 2023 he was named senior priest in residence at St. George Parish in Worcester.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Anne Bentley, and her husband, Tom, of Uxbridge. He was predeceased by his father and mother. Father Hultquist's memory will also be honored by his numerous cousins.

Father Hultquist was a man of profound kindness, a faith-filled servant of God and selfless in his devotion to others. His interests outside the church were as passionate as his faith. A true New Englander, Father Hultquist was an ardent supporter of all the New England sports teams, his spirit as unwavering in watching and following the games as it was at the altar.

Father Hultquist's life was a testament to the power of kindness, the strength of faith and the beauty of selflessness. In remembering him, we celebrate the countless lives he touched with his compassionate heart and gentle wisdom. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide those who were blessed to know him.

The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Eileen Erickson, David Jarry, Father Edward D. Niccolls and the staff at Notre Dame Healthcare in Worcester for their compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, July 19 at 11a.m. in St. Mary Church, 77 Mendon St., Rte. 16 in Uxbridge. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Uxbridge.

Memorial donations may be made to curesarcoma.org or Sarcoma Foundation of America 9899 Main St, Ste 204, Damascus, MD 20872. Buma Funeral Home, 480 Church St., in Whitinsville is conducting arrangements. Visit bumafuneralhome.com.