December 3, 2018

UPDATED: Father Thomas Begley, Springfield diocesan priest, dies at 84

REGIONAL

SPRINGFIELD – Father Thomas B. Begley, 84, a priest of the Springfield Diocese, died on Dec. 2 in Springfield.

He was born on April 25, 1934 in Springfield, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah B. Begley, and was a native of the former Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield. He attended the former Our Lady of Hope Elementary School and was a 1952 graduate of the former Cathedral High School, Springfield. He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn., the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal, Canada, and St. John Seminary in Brighton, Mass.

He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield on Jan. 30, 1960 by Bishop John F. Hackett, titular bishop of Helenopolis.

Father Begley served as an assistant at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, Springfield, 1960-1961; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Palmer, 1961-1968; St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, 1968-1975; and St. Joseph Parish, Pittsfield, 1975-1981.  

His diocesan appointments included Bishop’s Commission for the Clergy, 1970-1973; Commission for the Clergy, 1973-1976; Bishop’s Commission for the Clergy, 1980-1983; dean of the Northern Berkshire Deanery, 1982-1984; Bishop’s Commission for the  Clergy, 1983-1986; Diocesan Vocation Advisory Committee, 1984; dean of the Northern Berkshire Deanery, 1985-1988; Bishop’s Commission for the Clergy, 1986-1989; Diocesan Vocation Advisory Committee, 1986-1990; Bishop’s Commission for the Clergy, 1989-1992.

He served as pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Cheshire from 1981-2001; and as administrator of the former St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Adams from Jan. 1-March 17, 1984.

He retired on Jan. 31, 2001.

Father Begley is survived by two sisters, Mary T. Crowley of Springfield, Mass., and Patricia (and James) Masi of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, James F. Crowley, and a nephew, James M. Crowley.

The wake for Father Begley will be on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 4-7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 414 North St. Pittsfield, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Pittsfield. A committal service will be held on Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield.