Father Thomas J. McIntyre, CM, 1919 – 2009

By Father William Piletic, CM

The son of Thomas J. McIntyre and Ellen Walsh, Father Thomas J. McIntyre, CM, was born in Chicago on August 17, 1919.

Fr. McIntyre entered the Congregation of the Mission on October 17, 1942, and professed perpetual vows on October 18, 1944. He was ordained a priest in the Congregation of the Mission at St. Mary’s Seminary, Perryville, Missouri, on June 4, 1950.

Most of “Father Mac’s” priestly ministry was within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, beginning in 1951 when he was assigned as teacher and dean of students at Our Lady Queen of Angels Preparatory Seminary in San Fernando. He served there until 1957. He also served as Superior and Rector of St. Vincent’s Preparatory Seminary in Montebello, California, from 1959 to 1965. Fr. McIntyre also was Pastor and Superior of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Montebello from 1975 to 1979. In addition, over the years he served in several administrative capacities for the Vincentian priests and brothers in the Province of the West.

Prior to his retirement, Fr. McIntyre served as associate pastor (1982-1990) at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Huntington Beach, California, in the Diocese of Orange.

Father Mac was the resident assisting priest at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach from 1990, when he retired from active ministry, until 2008, when he moved into assisted living at Belmont Village in Corona del Mar, California.

His warmth and humor contributed to his popularity wherever he served. He was recognized as one who tried to be faithful to the charism of St. Vincent de Paul by organizing and leading programs of outreach to the poor in the various parishes at which he served.

Fr. McIntyre died of natural causes on November 29, 2009, at the age of 90
in San Juan Capistrano, California.