Thomas Hyland

Reverend Thomas J. Hyland, age 67, Pastor Emeritus of St. Peter Catholic Church, North Ridgeville, passed away Monday at EMH Regional Medical Center, in Elyria, following a short illness. He was born in Cleveland and grew up in Collinwood. He attended St. Jerome Elementary School ,The Cleveland Institute of Art and graduated from St. Joseph High School. He attended John Carroll University. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe for two years and then St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland for four years. He was ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Clarence E .Elwell for service in the Diocese of Cleveland on May 18, 1963, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Father Hyland's first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Sheffield Lake. On June 17, 1970, he was appointed associate pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Willowick. Four years later, Father Hyland became one of the members of the newly appointed pastoral team which was organized to administer Saint Mary Magdalene Parish. On June 29, 1978, when his term of service at St. Mary Magdalene Parish was completed, he was transferred to Saint Ann Parish, Cleveland Heights, where he served as an associate pastor until June 24, 1980, when he became pastor of Saint Peter Parish, North Ridgeville. Father Hyland retired due to illness on October 15, 2003 and was named Pastor Emeritus. He had served 40 years in the priesthood at the time of his retirement. At the time of his death , he was residing at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Oberlin. Father Hyland had the longest pastorate in the 129 year history of St. Peter's Parish. During his pastorate, Father Hyland did much to improve the quality of life at St. Peter's including upgrading the rectory and completing a large scale restoration of St. Peter's Church. He purchased a new home for the sisters and remodeled the former large convent for use as a parish center. Father Hyland was very supportive of and dedicated to overseeing the activities of St.Peters Catholic School to which he was truly and totally committed. His deep fondness for his parishioners, faculty and students was evident to everyone. Father Hyland was an avid supporter of the arts, having a special passion for opera and classical music. His own artistic talents were evident as he was an accomplished watercolorist. He was a humorous, highly intelligent and multi-talented man who enjoyed everything from theater and art to games of chance and pets. He is survived by his brother, Patrick Hyland of Solon, sisters, Rosemary Patno of Chagrin Falls and Susan Walsh of Euclid, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Joseph and Lillian Agnes Hyland. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2-5 and 7-9 PM in the David Bogner Family Funeral Home 36625 Center Ridge Road North Ridgeville, where a Vesper service will be held 3:00PM and a Rosary at 7:00 PM. The body will lie in state Friday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Catholic Church 35777 Center Ridge Road North Ridgeville. Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, D.D.,M.A. Bishop of Cleveland will be the principal celebrant with Reverend William B.Padovec as homilist. Burial will follow in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter School, 35777 Center Ridge Road North Ridgeville.