Fr Thomas Patrick (TP) Reynolds was born on 14th March 1935 at Strokestown, Co Roscommon. His primary education was with the Mercy Sisters and later with the Marist Brothers in Strokestown. His secondary education was at Scoil Mhuire, Bawn Street, Strokestown, which was an extraordinary private two-teacher co-educational high school.
Having passed the Irish Civil Service examination, he received training as a meteorologist and served in the Irish Meteorological Service at Claremorris for fifteen months. He came to Dalgan in 1955 and was ordained priest on 20th December 1961.
TP was appointed to further studies in French at Hull University and at the Institut Catholique in Paris in preparation for teaching at the Columban High School for boys in Whitby, Yorkshire.
When the Whitby school closed in 1967, he was appointed to teach at St Columban’s College, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (1968-1969) and then at St Columban’s Seminary, Wisconsin (1969-1972). In his spare time, he studied and obtained MA degrees in French and in Theology.
From 1973-79, TP combined doctoral studies with pastoral work at St Sebastian’s Parish, Milwaukee. He was awarded a PhD for his thesis, ‘Religious Studies with New Testament Specialisation’.
From 1980-83, he undertook pastoral work in Lima, Peru. Then in 1984 he was appointed to Chicago (IL) in the US. There he taught at the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) and Loyola Graduate Institute of Pastoral Studies, while working with Columban students, as well as helping with promotion work. He served on the Regional Council for 12 years and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CTU for 12 years.
Appointed to Los Angeles from 2008 to 2023, TP served in the Vermont Avenue house and later in St Hilary Parish, Pico Rivera, undertaking parish ministry and also offering New Testament courses for parishioners. TP retired to Ireland at the end of September 2023.
TP had a special gift for languages, not just French and Spanish, but also German and Italian. During his student years he was an exceptional pianist, the heart of the Dalgan ‘orchestra’, which enabled the students to produce musical entertainments every year.
He will be remembered as gentle and good-humoured, a superb teacher, and a man with strong organising abilities. A priest and missionary who very generously shared his time and talent with those with whom he worked. He was a wonderful host who made lasting friendships. TP died in St Columban’s Retirement Home on 14th December 2025.
May he rest in peace.
The funeral of Fr TP Reynolds can be see here:
