Rev. Thomas John Stokes C.S.B.

STOKES, Rev. Thomas John, C.S.B. January 15, 1926 -- February 16, 2009 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Father Tom, "Buddy" to his relatives, at Toronto Grace Hospital on Monday, February 16, 2009. He was the beloved son of the late Anna Marguerite Stokes (nee Pegg) and Thomas Joseph Stokes who died when Tom was nine years old. Tom was an only child, but he grew up in the loving home of his aunt and uncle, the late John A. and M. Evelyn Pegg and their nine children, Mary Joan de Valk (Peter), Patricia Richard (Ben), Tony Pegg (Marilyn), Susan Quigley (Sean), Michael, Tommy and Vincent Pegg and the late Jacqueline and Janet Pegg. He played an extremely important role in all their lives and brought great joy to all their family gatherings especially at 143 Marion. Father Tom, as he became known, was born in Toronto. He attended Parkdale Collegiate before becoming an undergraduate student at St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto where he earned a bachelor's degree in math and physics and a master's and PhD in philosophy. He entered the Basilian Novitiate in 1947 and made his first vows as a Basilian in 1948. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Cardinal James C. McGuigan at St. Basil's Church in Toronto on June 29, 1952. He said his first solemn Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Toronto. In 1953/54, he was a Lecturer at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. From 1960 to 1966, he was Assistant Professor in Philosophy at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Father Stokes was Assistant, then Associate Professor of Philosophy at Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario from 1966 to 1983. It was while he was in Windsor that he met his dear friend, Sister Catherine McCann, who introduced him to the world of hospital chaplaincy where she worked. He took his training in Hospital Chaplaincy in London, Ontario and also in Toronto in 1984. Father Stokes became the Catholic Chaplain at West Park Healthcare Centre and Humber Memorial Hospital (under the direction of the Archdiocese of Toronto) in 1985 and remained the Chaplain at those two hospitals until 2005. 'Buddy' often said that his years as a Chaplain were the most satisfying and rewarding of his life. He felt very fulfilled in being able to help the patients in their time of need. While at West Park and Humber Memorial, he formed a very special relationship with the volunteers who assisted him in his duties and enabled him to say Mass for the patients each Sunday. He cherished their friendships and always referred to them as a "very special group of people". Tom marked the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Basilian Father in June of 2002 with a special Mass at West Park followed by a luncheon to recognize his contributions to West Park, none of which would have been possible without Sister Catherine. He and Sister Catherine have left a legacy at West Park that will continue for many, many years to come. With the tremendous amount of work they put into organizing the readings and preparing and recording the music for Sunday Mass, they laid the groundwork which is used by their successors to this day. "Buddy" was a quiet, unassuming man who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He was the epitome of holiness. He will be missed terribly, but fondly remembered by all his confreres, family and friends for all the joy and laughter he brought into our lives. The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to Fr. Tom's Basilian confreres at Anglin House for their daily devotion to him during his months in Toronto Grace Hospital and also to the loving staff and caregivers at the hospital. Friends may visit at the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre Chapel, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, on Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Vigil Service will be held in the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in the same chapel on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Basilian Plot, Thornhill, Ontario.