- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1936
- Date Of Death: June 6, 2014
- State: Indiana
Brother Thomas Michael Shaughnessy, C.S.C., age 78, died on June 6, 2014 at Dujarie House, Holy Cross Village, in Notre Dame, Indiana. He was born in Lakewood, Ohio, the son of John and Coletta (Morgahan) Shaughnessy. He grew up there and attended St. Luke Elementary School and St. Edward High School, where he was a member of its first graduating class in 1953. He attended the University of Notre Dame for a year and transferred to Western Reserve University in 1954 where he studied for two years. He recalled the influence that the Holy Cross Brothers had on him and decided in June 1956 to enter the juniorate program at Watertown, Wisconsin. He began his novitiate training at Rolling Prairie in August 1956 and pronounced his first vows as a Brother of Holy Cross on August 16, 1957. He returned to resume his studies at the University of Notre Dame and graduated in June 1959.
Tom taught at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron for a year and then joined the faculty at Father Gibault School in Terre Haute, IN where he worked for 2 years. In 1962 he did graduate work at the College of Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio and earned a master’s degree in social work in 1964, which was the foundation for the generous life he would lead in a variety of roles. Over the years he held administrative positions at Gibault School in Terre Haute and St. Charles Boys Home in Milwaukee. He was best known for 30+ years of service and leadership in social work in Terre Haute, Mishawaka, and South Bend, while working with various organizations. He also served a year in social work centers in Stockton, California and in Bellingham, Washington. In each of his positions, he helped make changes to augment programs in community service, family abuse treatment, marriage preparation, and counseling. His most satisfying effort was to help establish the Holy Cross Counseling Services in South Bend.
His generous life of serving those in need also included his Holy Cross Community. Tom served as secretary of the Midwest Provincial Council from 1982-1985. He was the efficient and caring director of Dujarie House from 1991-1999. Then he was the business manager for the residents of Schubert Villa for two years. In 2000, became the superior of the community at Columba Hall for six where he instituted a number of programs to enhance the spirit and atmosphere. He provided great care and sensitivity to the residents and visitors of the ‘Community House.’ He was noted for looking out for the welfare and physical health of the elderly or disabled Brothers.
At that time he served on the province committee for the development of the senior retirement community which became the major complex now known as Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. His leadership skills often came into play as he served as the Chairman of the Board of Holy Cross Village for 6+ years and was involved with the multi-million dollar development of the Village.
Because of his life of service to others, he must have had a large and generous heart. This was seen in his contacts with his immediate and extended Shaughnessy family who corresponded, visited, and treasured Uncle/Cousin Tom. Many enjoyed his ability to get Notre Dame football tickets. That generous heart was especially noted in his close ties with his St. Edward High classmates. He organized reunions for them to come to Dujarie House to visit and reminisce with Brothers who taught them, such as Br John William Donoghue and Br Eduardo Michalik.
That generous heart of his has been weakening from attacks. Recentlly, Thomas commented to one Brother about his health telling him, “I’m ready to go!” On Tuesday the 3rd, he experienced another heart attack and went to the hospital. Family members came to visit. The doctors told him he had a low probability of success with bypass surgery. Tom decided to receive hospice care at Dujarie House. He was brought there by ambulance last Friday and passed away just as he was being helped from the gurney to his bed. May he now rest in eternal peace.
