Obituary: Father Thomas F. Egan, 82, retired diocesan priest

Father Thomas F. Egan, 82, of Worcester, former pastor of Holy Family of Nazareth Church in Leominster, died July 18 after a brief illness.

Father Egan was born and raised in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where he graduated from Woonsocket High School. He attended Bryant University, graduated from Holy Apostles College in Cromwell, Connecticut, and earned his master’s degree in divinity in 1975 at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Father Egan was ordained on May 17, 1975, at Christ the King Church in Worcester by Bishop Timothy J. Harrington.

His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Anne Parish  in Shrewsbury. He followed with appointments as associate pastor at St. Leo Parish, Leominster; St. Louis Parish, Webster; and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Fitchburg. He was temporary administrator of St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg in 1994.

Father Egan served as administrator of Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Leominster, from July 1, 1994 until June 15, 1996 when he was named pastor. There he led the building of a new church from the ground up. He continued his ministry at Holy Family until his retirement in 2012. Father Egan served as chaplain at UMass Memorial Hospital, offering compassion and spiritual guidance to the sick, dying, and their families.

Father Egan knew from a young age that he wanted to be a priest. He fulfilled his dream, celebrating his 50th anniversary of the priesthood this past May. Father Egan possessed a rare and beautiful gift for bringing people together. His warm, generous spirit was contagious, and he forged deep, lasting friendships throughout his life. His ability to unite individuals from his various parishes was a hallmark of his ministry. These friends, drawn together by Father Egan’s kindness and faith, became a close-knit community, sharing in both life’s joys and its sorrows. He loved music, dancing and celebrations. Father Egan especially enjoyed traveling to historical sites and cathedrals throughout Europe and encouraged his former and current parishioners to accompany him. These trips created lasting memories and friendships for all.

Father Egan’s love of art and history is reflected in the many pieces that he collected over the years. He especially cherished the Christmas season, when his home was a gathering place for loved ones, and the spirit of the season came alive with warmth, laughter, and fellowship.

Beloved brother of Joanne Egan Shea, Kensington, Maryland, Jay A. Egan, Honolulu, Hawaii, and brother-in-law Albert J. Didden, Jr., Kensington, Maryland. He was the cherished uncle of Christopher K. Shea, Andrea Shea Cirbee, Daniel F. Shea, Jason T. Didden, and Joanna Shea O’Brien. He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews,  cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents George W. and Louise (Martell) Egan, his brother George M. Egan, his sister Andrea Egan Didden, and his brother-in-law Daniel F. Shea.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 23, in Blessed Sacrament Church, beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. vigil service.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 24, at 11 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St., Worcester. Bishop McManus will be the principal celebrant.  

Burial will be held on Friday, July 25, at St. Charles Cemetery, 103 Farm St, in Blackstone.

Flowers in his memory are welcome or a donation to St. Jude’s, a charity that Father Egan ardently supported throughout his life. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.