Thomas J. Mahony, O.S.A.

1928 – 2009 (September 1)

Thomas Joseph Mahony was born on August 22, 1928, in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas Mahony and Margaret Hoban. He had one brother and one sister. He was baptized on September 9, 1928, at Saint Robert Church, Chester, and attended Saint Robert Parochial School. From 1942 to 1944 he attended Saint James High School, Chester, and then transferred to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant. He was received as a novice on September 9, 1946, and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., professed simple vows on September 10, 1947. He then attended Villanova College and received his BA in Philosophy in 1951. He professed solemn vows on September 10th of the previous year. He completed his theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, and an MS degree in Biology at the Catholic University of America, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 12, 1954, at Saint Mary’s (Corr) Chapel, Villanova by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.

Father Mahony’s first assignment was to Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Bryn Mawr, for the summer of 1955. He then was assigned to teach and to be Assistant Principal at Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, DC. From 1965 to 1969, he taught at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA, and from 1969 to 1981, he was assigned to Casa San Lorenzo and Biscayne College, Miami, FL, where he taught and served as the Registrar and in the Office of Financial Aid. From 1981 to 1983, he was assigned as Principal at Saint John Neumann High School, Golden Gate, FL. In 1983, he was a member of the Saint Thomas Monastery community, and served as Assistant to the Director of Financial Aid at Villanova University until 2004. 

Father Mahony passed over to the Lord in the early morning of Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at the age of 81. He had spent his entire ministry as an Augustinian in the educational apostolate of the Province, both on the secondary and higher education levels. He was known for his dedication to the schools and the students he served. At Biscayne College, Miami, FL, he taught, was Treasurer of the College, and Director of Financial Aid. He was known at the college as one who tirelessly offered pastoral care for the students. At Villanova University, he oversaw the school’s facilities for 20 years and was Director of Maintenance. As such, he saw to the furnishing and repair of the university’s buildings, especially the student dormitories. He was known for his guiding presence around campus, managing details on sight, rather than from his office desk. He was a quiet gentleman, who wanted to get the job done, no matter who got the praise. He was a compassionate friar, friend and mentor.