M. James "Jim" Toner

1939 - 2018

M. James "Jim" Toner

Reno - M. James "Jim" Toner died June 28, 2018 in Reno after a difficult battle with glioblastoma, brain cancer.

Born in 1939 in Hettinger, North Dakota the eldest of nine children born to saintly parents, Jim was raised primarily in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduation from an all boys' Catholic military high school in St. Paul where he was the class President and the Cadet Colonel, Jim studied for the Catholic priesthood six and one-half years, studying both at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul where he received his B.A., then studying at the Gregorian University in Rome where his Archbishop had sent him in 1961 and from whence he received his S.T.B.

In Rome Jim was present for the Second Vatican Council. He was present at the funeral of much beloved Pope John XXIII and was in St. Peter's square when the white smoke arose from the Sistine Chapel and Pope Paul VI was announced as the new Pope.

When President John F. Kennedy visited the North American College in July, 1963, Jim had the opportunity to shake his hand. Other outstanding highlights were Jim's visits to San Giovanni Rotundo to visit St. Padre Pio in 1961 and 1962.

Jim left the seminary prior to ordination, but remained active in numerous Church ministries his entire life. He was especially dedicated to R.C.I.A., the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, for more than 25 years.

After departure from the seminary and teaching at a Catholic elementary school in St. Paul for a semester, Jim did graduate work at St. Louis University where he received a graduate degree in Social Work in 1966. He worked at the St .Louis City Juvenile Court and the Dismas House to pay his way through school. Jim married Susan Troy, also a St. Paul native, in the St. Louis Cathedral at the semester break in January 30, 1965. Jim and Susan were married for 53 years until his death.

After the birth of two of their three daughters in St. Louis, Kristen and Nicole, the Toner family moved to Reno in August, 1972. Bridget, Jim and Susan's third daughter, was born in Reno.

The move from St. Louis to Reno was occasioned by a job offer to Jim to work at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Jim enjoyed a successful career of some 33 years there where he retired as Dean.

During his work at the National Council, Jim served as President of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work. He also served earlier as the President of the National Association of Social Workers, Nevada Chapter. In 1973 and again in 1998 Jim was selected as "Nevada Social Worker of the Year." Over the course of his employment with the National Council Jim received numerous other awards from national and other state juvenile justice organizations.

For decades Jim served and chaired the Juvenile Services Committee for Washoe County. For more than a decade he served on the Board of Casa de Vida.

On three different occasions Jim was elected President of the Serra Club of Reno. ("One of these times I should get it right.") The Serra Club, a religious organization, is not to be confused with the Sierra Club. Jim was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

After retirement from the National Council, Jim was invited to serve as President of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. Jim loved Bishop Manogue, its students, families, faculty and staff. He considered the experience an immense honor. Jim served at Bishop Manogue four years from 2007 - 2011, "going through high school twice." He returned again as interim President in 2013 and as a Board member in 2016.

After belonging to Our Lady of Snows parish and serving on the parish council there, the family registered at St. Rose of Lima, the newest parish in the area where Jim served on the first parish council. The faith community was being developed, building fund raising and construction were important undertakings. The new parish in south Reno was closer to their Pleasant Valley home where the family has lived since their 1972 move to the area.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathryn Connery Toner, and siblings Katheryn Mary, Bernard and Patrick. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughters Kristen Toner, Nicole Toner and Bridget Fitzpatrick; his precious granddaughter, Kailey Kathryn Fitzpatrick; and siblings Sheila Exner (Don), Kathleen McBroom (Ron), Maureen Singleton (Tim), Peggy Riehm (Harry) and Julie Toner, as well as sisters-in-law Linda Toner, widow of Bernard, and Suzie Toner, widow of Patrick. Other survivors include numerous nephews and nieces and in-laws Terry and Isabel Troy, Helen and Max Jacobs, Phil and Jan Troy, and Vincent and Joanna Troy.

Jim loved Reno. He was grateful for his Catholic Faith, his family, his Irish ancestry, and all God's gifts.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place at the Walton's Ross Burke and Knobel Mortuary, 2155 Kietzke Ln, Reno on July 5, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 pm with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm.

Internment will be in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota where both Jim and Susan's parents are buried.

Donations may be made in Jim's name to Catholic Charities and/or Bishop Manogue Catholic High School.

To share a memory of Jim please visit the Book of Memories at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.