Thomas F. Quinn went home to his God on November 26, 2025 at the age of 95. He left us peacefully and he knew it was time to go. Tom was born to the late Edward and Nora Shaughnessy Quinn and grew up in Darby, PA. Tom was a loving husband to his wife Michaelita Evelyn Boschert for 53 years who was with him daily on the days preceding his passing. He is survived by his sister Terry known as Sister Norine Mary, IHM.
After attending St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, Tom spent his senior year at DeMatha Prep School for future Trinitarian priests. Tom felt called to be a priest and entered the Trinitarians at age 20. During his seminary days, he earned a BA in Philosophy and an STD Theology degree. After he was ordained in 1957 as Fr. Celestine and served in parishes in several states, he was called back to the Trinitarian Provincial Monastery to function as Novice Master to new seminarians. In 1969 at age 39, Tom decided to leave the Trinitarian Community but remain a priest. His requests were granted.
Tom was immediately hired as a Human Resources Director for businesses and organizations in Philadelphia and New Jersey. In 1972, he married Michaelita Evelyn Boschert at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Tom met Michaelita when she was Sister Michaelita, SSND, vice principal at the Institute of Notre Dame High School in Baltimore. Tom then pursued and earned LCSW and LADC multistate licenses, al while serving as Executive Director of a residence for recovering alcoholics. Once licensed, Tom became a psychotherapist and Director of various Rehabilitation Centers in New York. After moving to CT to accept an offer as Director of the Midwestern CT Council on Alcoholism/Outpatient Services for five years, Tom then created and became Director of the Greater Danbury Counseling Center and functioned as a psychotherapist.
Tom was also active as a volunteer for various agencies and served on the Board of Directors of professional organizations. If you asked Tom what his interests were, he would tell you spirituality, reading, astronomy, discussion and communication.
But what does one remember about Tom as a person? What do you recall? Tom was introspective and would look at you, listen to you, and softly say something to let you know he heard your words, heard your struggle. He thanked the nurses and aides who cared for him in Westmorland. People remember Tom as someone who always saw a problem with a positive view. He had Parkinson’s disease throughout his body, but it never affected him mentally. One day, he reflected, “I don’t pray that God will take away my Parkinson’s. But I want to learn from it – whatever I have to learn.”
Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” We loved you, Tom. May you now rest in peace.
Funeral Mass - December 12, 2025 -11:00 a.m. - St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church - Drexel Hil, PA . There will be a visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 in the church before mass.
Burial - December 13, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. - Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery (Section 30) Springfield, PA
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