It is with regret that we inform you of the death at 7:30 AM on Monday, 26th February 2024, at St. James’s University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, aged 87, of
Father Thomas O’Connor
Mill Hill Missionary
May he rest in peace
Thomas, or ‘Tom’ as he was fondly called by family, friends and colleagues, was born on 5th September 1936 in Kiltullagh, Athenry, Co Galway, Ireland. He was the eldest of three boys and one girl of Richard O’Connor, a farmer, and Mary Kenny. He attended Kiltullagh National School. He entered the minor seminary of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Freshford in 1950 and proceeded to philosophical studies in Roosendaal, Holland in 1956. After two years, he proceeded to St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, to study Theology and related subjects and continue his missionary formation. In 1961, he took a one year out from formation and he was re-admitted in 1962. On 31st October 1962 he became a Perpetual Member at a ceremony held at the Chapel of St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London. He was ordained missionary priest in the same place on 7th July 1963.
Tom was appointed to Kuching, in former British Borneo, and arrived there just as it became part of the new nation of Malaysia. From December 1963 to January 1966, he served in Dalat and taught in the primary school for two years, and from there spent a short spell in Sarikei. In February 1966, he was appointed to Song Parish which then included Kapit and Belaga in the far interior of Borneo, the largest parish in the whole diocese. He spent the next 33 years in that vast region travelling up river among the many native tribal groups, learning their languages and cultures and forming Christian communities. He reached out into the interior in a truly amazing way, which brought much fruit not just in the numbers of people he helped to become Christians, but also in the way they formed their own basic Christian Communities. He had many adventures in the jungles of Sarawak including two notable ones of his exploits in travelling by hovercraft, and of once being shipwrecked in the Pelagus Rapids between Kapit and Belaga. Tom worked in Kapit in his last few years in the interior before being appointed to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu, in 1999. The coverage area of the Sacred Heart Parish then stretched all the way from four hours down the Rajang River from Sibu, all the way in the opposite direction for 90 miles East of Sibu. Tom faithfully visited the longhouses of the Ibans in those areas and he also enjoyed working among the Chinese in Sibu town.
In the year 2000, while in the Cathedral parish, Tom suffered a serious fall, damaging his spine and ribs, and received physiotherapy over a two-month period. Around 2005, he had his first hip replacement, also key-hole surgery on the spine. Early 2015, he had a second hip replacement. Unfortunately, the back trouble surfaced again. On 1st May 2015, Tom decided to withdraw from Sarawak, leaving behind a legacy of 52 years of exemplary missionary dedication and commitment among those in the peripheries, and embraced the missionary challenge of retirement in his native country Ireland. He enjoyed the care and support he received at St. Joseph’s House in Rathgar, Dublin.
Tom was a keen historian. He wrote three books on early Irish history. His latest book was published on 8th December 2023 by Austin Macauley Publishers, Tara’s Exposé: Celtic Europe’s Sunset and Ireland’s Celtic.
Not long after his 60th Jubilee celebrations Tom’s health deteriorated. He had a number of falls and was hospitalised at St. James’s University Hospital in late August 2023. Over the last few months he received the Sacrament of Anointing and has been regularly visited by relatives and fellow MHMs. At 7.30 AM of Monday, 26th February 2024, Tom returned to the Lord whom he faithfully served as missionary for six decades.
His Funeral Mass will be on Thursday 29th February at 11.00 AM, at St. Jospeh’s House. (Streaming details on www.rip.ie). His burial will take place in Kiltullagh Cemetery after repose and prayers at St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Kiltullagh (H65KC89).
