Fr. Thomas Moran

1938 - 2016

Fr. Thomas D. Moran

Fr. Tom Moran died peacefully late Friday evening, November 11, 2016 at Nazareth House in San Rafael at the age of 78, following several years of declining health. Though he was no longer able to talk, he was still signaling a clear "thumbs up" to visitors who had come by with prayers and support that day. Tom was born in Philadelphia on July 11, 1938 to Frank Edwin Moran and Evelyn Margaret DiFilippo. His only sibling, Dolores, was nine years his senior. Tom was baptized at Our Mother of Sorrows Church and attended Saint Rose of Lima Elementary School and Saint Thomas More High School in Philadelphia. His father died suddenly at 49, when Tom was just 14 years of age. As a result, Tom became more involved at Saint Rose Church, benefiting from the positive influence and support of his parish priests, as well as a cousin, Fr. W. L. Moran, S.J. In 1955, he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He remained there for nine years, through second theology. Tom then completed two further years of theology studies at University of Notre Dame while serving as a faculty assistant. In 1966, he left Indiana and in the years that followed, worked as a warehouseman in Philadelphia; a community organizer and desegregation project coordinator in Alabama and North Carolina; a political campaign coordinator and consultant in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and California; a parish youth coordinator and teacher at Holy Names High School and Holy Names College in Oakland; and a telephone company salesman and union officer in the Bay Area, remaining active at local parishes throughout the years.

Because of his strong one-on-one communication skills, his humility and transparency, and his heartfelt concern for others, Tom spoke often and effectively of his early struggles with alcohol. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1980, a decision that had lasting effects on his life, and on the lives of the many, many men and women for whom he served as a sponsor over the years. In 1984, Archbishop John Quinn accepted the recommendation of then-Fr. Bruce Dreier, Vocations Director at that time, who endorsed the application Tom made to Saint Patrick's Seminary at the age of 45. Tom credited then-Fr. Gene Boyle, for influencing his return to the seminary. In addition to his Saint Patrick's studies, he earned his Master of Arts in Spirituality at University of San Francisco on his own time and at his own expense. In 1987, then-Fr. Rich Garcia wrote of Tom, "…One of the finest attributes he will bring to ordination is a sense of balance and proportion, a sense that is the fruit of pain and suffering that has been reflected upon, a catholicity of interest that keeps his horizons broad, and an awareness of God's action in all of humanity…"

Fr. Tom Moran was ordained by Archbishop Quinn on April 9, 1988 at Saint Mary's Cathedral and celebrated his first Masses at Saint Pius and Saint Veronica Churches. He was initially assigned to Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco. In 1991, he was appointed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Redwood City, and in 1992, began two years of service as Director of Vocations with residence initially at Saint Kevin Church and then at Saint Robert Church. In 1994, Fr. Tom was assigned to Saint Gabriel Church, and four years later was named Pastor of Saint Charles Parish in San Carlos. Parishioners regularly noted throughout his years of ministry that he had the ability to make others feel at ease; was hardworking, sincere and cheerful; had a compassionate attitude; enriched liturgies with his homilies; and was highly involved in parish activities. In 2000, Fr. Moran accepted an assignment as Parochial Vicar at Saint Bartholomew Church in San Mateo. He retired January 1, 2006, and lived for four years in residence at the mission Church of Saint Denis, Our Lady of the Wayside, in Portola Valley before accepting the invitation of Fr. Dave Ghiorso to reside at Saint Charles Church. Fr. Tom moved to Nazareth House in early 2015.

Fr. Tom is survived by his sister, Dolores Moran Latini (Emil) of Springfield, Pennsylvania; and his niece Lois and nephews Steve, Ronald and Emil Jr. The family is grateful for the support and competence of Mary Schembri and the staff and sisters at Nazareth House; and for Judy Sullivan, RN.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of the Funeral Mass on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Bartholomew Church, 300 Alameda De Las Pulgas, San Mateo.