Thomas E. COLUMBIA

I was a teacher at OLPH, South Ozone Park, NY for two years from September '95 to June '97. Tom was a wonderful man. I remember how he spoke kindly to a child that had been crying in the hallway after school and Tom sang "Gray Skies Are Going to Clear Up..." His voice FILLED the corridor with such AMAZING sound. I also remember a song that he wrote and sang in church and some of the lyrics still play in my mind nearly everyday. I googled him in the hopes that his song was published and...

To the family of Thomas,
So sorry for your loss. When someone you love becomes a memory the memory become a treasure so treasure the memory
Matt 5:4,5

BC~

As the DRE in OLPH parish in South Ozone Park, Tom made my first year as a priest in what for me was a difficult assignment both because it was and as my mother was dying, bareable and at times joyful. His door was always open and whether our conversation was work related or personal there was always a smile and we usually had a good laugh. I was deeply sorry to learn of his passing at such a young age. The world is a poorer place without him.