1912 – 1989 (September 10)
John Francis Toomey was born August 22, 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to John J. Toomey and Margaret E. Cronin. He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Mary’s Church, Lawrence. He earned his high school diploma in 1930 at St. John Prep School, Danvers, Massachusetts, and entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant, where he did a year of post-graduate studies. He was received into Good Counsel Novitiate on September 12, 1931, and professed simple vows on September 13, 1932 and solemn vows September 13, 1935. John received in 1936 a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and was sent to Rome for theological studies. During this time he lived at Collegio Santa Monica while studying at the Gregorian University. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 9, 1939 in Rome, and received his S.T.L. in 1940. Upon receiving his degree, he immediately left Rome before the outbreak of World War II.
Father Toomey was assigned to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher. When the new Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel was formed in 1941, he was affiliated to it. With the opening of Saint Monica Minor Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1941, Father Toomey was assigned there as teacher and Prefect of Studies. When the progran moved in 1949 to Saint Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan, he relocated there. He was elected in 1949 to serve as Secretary of the Province.
In 1960 Father Toomey was transferred to Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he taught and served as Regent of Studies until 1965. He was named Pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Detroit, Michigan, in 1965. From 1968 to 1971 he served as Prior of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields. He returned to parish ministry in 1971 as Pastor of Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago.
Father Toomey was transferred to Saint Rita Parish, Chicago, in 1977, serving as associate pastor of the parish and prior of the community there. Health problems caused him to be transferred in 1989 to Saint Rita Monastery, Chicago. He died there of cancer September 10, 1989, at the age of 77. Father Toomey is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
