THOMAS WHEELER Obituary

Name: Visitation for THOMAS WHEELER
Start: 2022-03-25T13:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Matthias Church

WHEELER REV. THOMAS F. X., S.J. 91, died at Manresa Hall, Merion Station, PA on March 17, 2022. Father was preceded in death by his parents, Francis A. and Mary H. (McNamara) Wheeler, and brother, John David. He is survived by devoted nephews, nieces, and his Jesuit brothers. Father taught history and was assistant director of the learning development program at Gonzaga High School, Washington, D.C. (1964-91). He was later assigned to Old St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia (1991-95) and then to the McAuley Convent in Merion Station, where he served as a much beloved infirmary chaplain (1995-2013). Visitation at St. Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 on Friday, March 25, at 9 A.M. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 (livestreamed at https://saintmatthias.org. Private burial at the Jesuit Cemetery, Wernersville, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USA East Province, Society of Jesus, 39 E. 83rd St., New York, NY 10028. Arr. DINAN FUNERAL HOME

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Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Mar. 23, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS WHEELER

Sponsored by Dinan Funeral Home Inc..

11 Entries

Spencer Kelly

March 25, 2022

Thank you Fr. Wheeler ... I still have a my dog-eared copy of the Dictionary of Modern History and a joy for studying the past. RIP

Terry McQuillan Biscoe

March 25, 2022

Fr. Wheeler was my daughter Ellie´s adopt-a-pop. Their friendship and love for one another was truly special. While Ellie was away in Florence for her semester abroad, I would get my weekly or bi-weekly call from Fr. Wheeler asking "How´s our girl?" Or as he would call her "our Elizabeth Rose". How lucky I was to share in their magical relationship. Rest in peace.

Stephen Sheridan

March 25, 2022

Fr. Wheeler was my favorite teacher at Gonzaga. I'll always remember his solemnly intoning "Tolle et lege, gentlemen, tolle et lege" (take up and read) whenever test time rolled around. Rest in peace.

Jaclyn Carnevale Spector

March 24, 2022

Of the many things I was apart of at Saint Joseph's University, Adopt-A-Pop was a unique one, and I am sad today I have to say goodbye to Father Wheeler (or what he would call himself; a Lazy Ole Priest)! Every Tues/Thurs I would walk across the street to talk to Father Wheeler, looking to chat and have some company. A teacher himself, we hit it off and I visited him throughout my time at Saint Joe's and after college, totaling 11 years of visits. He was kind but stubborn, funny but sensitive and had an intense passing for learning. While not having much family, I was a constant person that would visit him. He was proud of his identity and appreciated I made the time to hear his stories. Over the years he gave me countless books, Yankee memorabilia and quirky jokes. The biggest blessing was when he co-celebrated in Eric and I's wedding at Saint Joe's. He was a special person that made me grateful for a lot of things and insight that I never thought I'd ever get from "volunteering". I am grateful we had so many wonderful times and am sad our visits have come to an end. He always confidently reminded me after every visit that it's never a goodbye, it will always be a see you later. Here's to you Father Wheeler, thank you for 11 years of good company #THWND

Jaclyn Spector

March 24, 2022

Jaclyn Spector

March 24, 2022

Jaclyn Spector

March 24, 2022

Of the many things I was apart of at Saint Joseph's University, Adopt-A-Pop was a unique one, and I am sad I have to say goodbye to Father Wheeler (or what he would call himself; a LOP - Lazy Ole Priest). Every Tues/Thurs I would walk across the street to talk to Father Wheeler, to chat and have some company. A teacher himself, we hit it off and I visited him throughout my time at Saint Joe's and after college, totaling 11 years of visits. He was kind but stubborn, funny but sensitive and had an intense passing for learning. While not having much family, I was a constant person that would visit him. He was proud of his identity and appreciated I made the time to hear his stories. Over the years he gave me countless books, Yankee memorabilia and quirky jokes. The biggest blessing was when he co-celebrated in Eric and I's wedding at Saint Joe's. He was a special person that made me grateful for a lot of things and insight that I never thought I'd ever get from "volunteering". I am grateful we had so many wonderful times and am sad our visits have come to an end. He always confidently reminded me after every visit that it's never a goodbye, it will always be a see you later. Here's to you Father Wheeler, thank you for 11 years of good company #THWND

Ellie Biscoe `18

March 24, 2022

Saint Joe´s gave me so much during my time in Philly: an education, the most loyal of friends, a place to call home... but one of the best things I was given was Father Thomas Wheeler.

For 2.5 years, we spent every Thursday afternoon together with our Hymies milkshakes (Oreo cream of course) discussing everything from sports to family to our faith. After moving back to Boston once I graduated, our milkshake dates became less frequent, but I would always count on a call any holiday, birthday, or celebration.

An 87 year old retired Jesuit priest and a 19 year old college student becoming the best of friends is something truly unheard of, but I was lucky enough to have lived it.

It´s funny how the littlest of things can take up the most room in our hearts. Thursday afternoons will forever hold a special place in my heart... Love you always

Tom Panther

March 24, 2022

At Gonzaga we called him TFX Wheeler. True gentleman and a great teacher. Whenever he had to address the class he would say " alright amici".

Diane Castner

March 23, 2022

I will deeply miss Father Tom. He was a sweet and gentle soul.

Kevin F.

March 23, 2022

Father Tom was a very kind soul who has helped me greatly in my Spirituality. I will always remember his patience and kindness. I had heard Father refer to others as a Holy Man, I'd say that he too was a Holy man.

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