September 26, 1938 to August 14, 2023

Reverend Thomas McCann, a Passionist priest, born on September 26, 1938, died on Monday, August 14, 2023 after a brief hospitalization at the Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was 84 years of age. A native of Ashley, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Joseph McCann and the late Sarah Duffy McCann. He is pre-deceased by his siblings Edward, Margaret (Marosco), Joseph, and Estelle (Hurley). He leaves his brother John McCann and his sister Mary Patricia Palumbo. Father Tom graduated from Saint Leo High School, Ashely, Pennsylvania in 1956. He attended Holy Cross Preparatory Passionist Seminary, Dunkirk, New York from 1958, entered Passionist Novitiate professing first vows on August 1, 1959 at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and final vows on August 1, 1962 at St. Gabriel Monastery Church in Brighton, Massachusetts. He was ordained a priest on June 3, 1966 by Most Reverend Thomas Manning, OFM at St. Michael’s Passionist Monastery Church in Union City, New Jersey. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1962 and a Master of Arts in Theology in 1966. Father Tom was Vice-Master of Novices at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1968. He conducted retreats at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford, Connecticut from 1968 to 1969. He was Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Monastery Parish, Baltimore, Maryland from 1969 to 1971. He served at St. Gabriel Youth Retreat Center, Shelter Island, New York, from 1971 to 1972. Father Tom returned to Baltimore in 1972. He was Chaplain at St. Agnes Hospital and Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland from 1972 to 1977. He became Pastor-Rector at St. Ann’s Basilica and Shrine Parish and Monastery, Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1979 and was in residence at St. Ann’s Monastery until 1986. He was Rector of St. Joseph Monastery, Baltimore, Maryland from 1986 to 1988, Pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, North Palm Beach, Florida from 1988 to 1989, and Pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Atlanta, Georgia from 1989 to 1990. He was appointed Director of theological studies for Passionist students at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois from 1990 to 1991. He moved to St. Gabriel Parish, Greenville, North Carolina in 1991 and was named Pastor of the Parish in 1993 where he served until 2008. He returned to St. Joseph Monastery, Baltimore, Maryland in 2012 and was named Administrator there until 2014. He then returned to St. Ann’s Monastery, Scranton, Pennsylvania where he ministered until his death. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. A kind man, Father Tom devoted many years of ministry with African American Catholics and Spanish-speaking parishioners. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 12:30 pm at St. Ann’s Basilica Church. A Wake will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at St. Ann’s Basilica Church. Immediately following the Mass, Father Tom’s body will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Visitation

Funeral Services

 

Guestbook

 

Sign Guestbook Add your condolences by signing the guestbook.