The President of Thomas Aquinas College, Dr. Tom Dillon, died in a car accident in Ireland. His wife Terry is in serious condition but is expected to live.
Pray for him and for his family.
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Dr. Dillon was a gracious, good, energetic man who loved TAC and has helped it grow and prosper. The recently inaugurated basilica was his vision, his love, his dream, and he made it happen. I heard him speak several times during fund raising functions on its behalf and you could tell he was doing this for the greater glory of God. May the good Lord reward him for it and all his efforts for the Kingdom. RIP.
I’m right now trying to organize a Mass for fellow TAC alums in the DC area (and friends of the school as well), I’ll post details here when they come. Fr. Z if you could direct anyone who needs my email for details that would be fine.
As an alum I’m saddened greatly, both for the loss of a good man and for the school, who lost their most dedicated servant. Dr. Dillon gave his all for the school and I’m happy that he got to see the dream of the Chapel finished.
Prayers for the repose of his soul, and for his wifes recovery.
Not to quibble too much, but the chapel isn’t a basilica, not yet. Basilica is a special distinction conferred upon a church for its special place in the church. Notre Dame has a minor basilica, but it was only declared one some 20 odd years ago. St. Paul outside the Walls however is a Major Basilica and is one of only 4 (I believe) as the original basilicas of Rome.
One day I hope Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity will be declared a basilica.
Am deeply grieved for this great loss to TAC. Prayers for the soul of Dr Dillon and for the recovery of his wife. Condolences to the family and the TAC students and alums.
Deeply saddened.
He has done so much for love of the Church, the restoration of culture and Catholic liberal education.
We love you Dr. Dillon – prayers ascending for the repose of your soul, for Mrs. Dillon’s recovery and for the consolation of your family and the extended TAC family.
Audívi vocem de cælo dicéntem mihi.
Beáti mórtui qui in Dómino moriúntur.
R.I.P.
A giant of true Catholic higher education, liberal and thorough.
Prayers for his soul, for his wife’s recovery, the consolation of his family, and the continued brilliant leadership of TAC.
Requiescat in Pace.
May he rest in God’s peace, may his wife be healed and comforted, and may all his family and friends find themselves drawn closer to God.
A sad loss.
May the perpetual Light of the Lord shine upon him. RIP
I am sadden to hear of Dr. Dillon’s death. I knew him and his wife when I worked at TAC. Terry is a gracious lady. The Basilica is his great legacy to TAC. God rest his soul.
Eterno riposo…
I am Michael Corkery, Terri Dillons’ brother. Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and reflections of our dear brother Thomas. He was truely a great man whom we all admired tremendously and of whom I was very proud. We last saw Tom and Terri at the dedication of the Chapel in March and were able to spend a wonderful time together. We are still awaiting word from Terri and update on her condition.
May God bless you all and keep Tom in your prayers. [Blessings upon you and your family in this time if trial. It is the Easter Octave! Holy Church is still ringing with the angel’s words: “He is not here.” These words redefine everything in our lives.]
I assume this was in Munster. They are crazy on the road there.
Rest in peace.
Dr. Dillon was an inspiration of what a lay person can do to help renew the Church. He was a true visionary for Thomas Aquinas College and showed how the truth can be made manifested in the lives of so many others through study, prayer and reflection. As a Board member of the Institute on Religious Life he supported vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The IRL is having its National Meeting this weekend at the University of St. Mary of the Lake–Mundelein Seminary campus in the northern suburbs of Chciago. On Mercy Sunday, we will remember him in a special way at our 10:30 a.m. Mass in the seminary chapel. Those who knew him are invited to come and join us in prayer.
We are all in shock right now. It’s hard to believe that Dr. Dillon is gone. Please pray for the students and all of those who knew and worked with him. He truly cared for every one of us, and he always had a kind word to say. He gave so much to Thomas Aquinas College, and we will never forget him for that. May he rest in peace.
Back in 1998, I wrote the essay on TAC for the first edition of “Choosing the Right College,” of which I was senior editor. I was then a new convert and was somewhat skeptical of new Catholic colleges, having spent years in higher education; not all new Catholic colleges are praiseworthy.
TAC was most impressive and I wrote a very strong essay on it. I recall Dr. Dillon calling and asking permission to post the essay on TAC’s home page, which I gladly granted, as it richly deserved the good PR we gave it. His loss is a terrible blow to Catholic higher education, but he leaves a remarkable and proud legacy.
A year ago Dr. Dillon was invited to come and deliver the commencement address at the high school where I work. He graciously accepted, delivered a wonderful speech on liberal education, and gave us permission to print it. Later, when he was given his promised honorarium and travel reimbursement, he signed the check over to the College’s chapel fund. What a humble and great man. He will be missed.
He was a truly great man. Despite his busy schedule fundraising and representing the college around the world, he also made sure to get to know the students and was always affable and patient. I had many good dinners with him in the commons at TAC. He even made time to go to a requiem Mass, short notice, for my brother (much to my surprise).
V. Subvenite Sancti Dei, occurrite Angeli Domini: Suscipientes animam ejus, offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.
R. Suscipiat te Christus qui vocavit te, et in sinum Abrahae Angeli deducant te.
V. Suscipientes animam ejus, offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.
R. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat ei.
In paradisium deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondem paupere aeternam habeas requiem.
The light was on in his office most nights as we walked back from our seminars. I’ll always remember that about him, and how much he enjoyed playing basketball with us. His love for the College and the Church was so evident. He will be missed!
Blessed repose and eternal memory for the servant of God, Thomas!
Prayers for his wife, Terri, and her recovery, as well as for all of the grieving families and friends.
PS: How terribly sad. Driving in Ireland can be quite a dangerous prospect…
Did the driver arrive in Ireland after an overnight flight from the United States and fall asleep at the wheel? The newspaper report does not mention another vehicle.
Do not always blame Irish roads and drivers.
From the Irish Independent
“AN American tourist was among two people to lose their lives in separate road crashes yesterday.
The man, who was in his 60s, suffered fatal injuries when he lost control of his car on the M7 motorway in Co Laois and crashed into the verge. A woman passenger in the front seat suffered minor injuries.
She was being treated at Portlaoise General Hospital last night and was said to be in a stable condition. The driver’s body was also removed to the hospital where a post mortem was due to take place.
The couple were driving south on the motorway when the vehicle suddenly left the road shortly after 2pm.
A section of the motorway was closed for several hours yesterday afternoon as garda forensic collision investigators conducted an examination at the scene.”
Thomas Aquinas College is truly a shining light
in today’s world. God bless, Dr. Dillon for
his efforts in fostering authentic Catholic
education in the United States.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
Being an alumnus of TAC I am very saddened at the loss of Dr. Dillon. My freshman year was his first as president and he very thoughtfully invited me to his home to watch the Minnesota TWINS play and win the World Series.
He was a great gift to the institution. Dr. Dillon exemplified prudence, vision, zeal for the mission of the school, sacrificial work ethic, kindness toward all and a deep devotion to God.
I am happy God allowed him to see, on this earth, the completion and dedication of the new Chapel.
Let us pray for the repose of his soul and that his family be consoled by the grace of God.
Does anyone know when the funeral will take place?
I first heard Dr. Dillon speaking about the Venerable John Henry Newman. I still remember quotes from that. I will pray for him, his family, and Thomas Aquinas College. God bless.
Having worked for and with Dr. Dillon for the past 3 years has been incredible. I have never seen anyone work so hard. We cannot replace him and trust that God will bring good out of this tragedy for his family and the College. It is comforting to ponder him still working for the good of the College without the limitations of time or space! Well done Thomas, His good and faithful servant. God bless Terri and the family!
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Thank you, Dr. Dillon, for the immeasurable role you played in the formation of my faith and that of so many others. Your kindness, your smile, your accessibility were freely given to all, and you had a decent jump hook. If, by God’s grace, I end up being a teacher, I will strive to emulate your wonderful balance of giving guidance and allowing the discussion to happen.
Rest in peace, Dr. Dillon.