WILLIAM J. TOOHY

TOOHY--William J. Rev. Monsignor William J. Toohy, of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Manhattan died June 12, 2011 at age 80. He served the parish as parochial vicar 1961-1969 and 2002-2005. He also served for 32 years at Archdiocese Catholic Charities as Director of Social Research. From 1981 to 2001 he was the Archdiocese Director of Legal Affairs. In 1990 he served for six months as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Covenant House. Rev. Monsignor Toohy was born in Newton, MA, son of the late Loretta Hughes Toohy and John J. Toohy. The family moved to Rye, NY in 1934. He graduated from Resurrection School and Rye High School. In 1951, he graduated cum laude from Harvard College and from Harvard Law School in 1954. After several years as a lawyer at Kelley, Drye, Newhall, and Warren, he decided to enter the Seminary and was ordained in 1961 and named a Monsignor in 1986. In addition to his legal talent, he was fluent in Spanish and French. His assignments included Marseille, France as well as the Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He is survived by two sisters, two brothers and their spouses: Mary Toohy Hyson and Francis Hyson, Cos Cob, CT; Margaret Toohy Sweeney and Robert Sweeney, Rye, NY; Peter Toohy and Jane Toohy, Houston, TX; Thomas Toohy and Mary Toohy, Manchester Center, VT. He had 13 nephews and nieces along with 21 grandnephews and grandnieces. The family will be receiving friends at Graham Funeral Home, Rye, NY on Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 10:30 at Church of the Blessed Sacrament at 152 West 71st, Manhattan. The interment will be at the Gate of Heaven, Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities.