By: Clare

December 9, 2004

Immaculate Heart of Mary Grade School

Mr. Hall’s Computer Class

Father Thomas McIntyre passed away on September 11, 1986, but his memories are still with many of us. Father had a great influence on the people around him. He inspired many by his kind, gentle, and always giving ways. Father McIntyre may not be with us now, but he is forever in our hearts.

Father McIntyre was born on September 6^th, 1908 and he died from natural causes around the age of 76. He attended St. Colman’s Grade School and Cathedral Latin High School. In 1926, at the age of eighteen, Thomas McIntyre entered St. Mary’s seminary, and his brother entered four years later. On May 26, 1934, Bishop Joseph Schrembs ordained him, at twenty-six years old. He continued to spread the word of God over the next fifty years.

Father McIntyre was first assigned as an Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Cleveland, where he stayed for ten years. He then became the Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph’s Parish in Cuyahoga Falls for eight years. On August 22, 1952, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish was established and Father Thomas McIntyre was appointed as the founder. Father McIntyre personally searched for land throughout the Northwest section of Cuyahoga Falls on which to build a church and school. While I.H.M Parish was being built, Father McIntyre said Mass at the State Theater on State Road, which is now the Church of Believers. He held Mass there from September 1952 until April 1954. At this time most of the work was finished in the new church, but it was not fully completed until 1968. He served at I.H.M for twenty-six years until he was appointed as Pastor Emeritus on September 6, 1978. Father McIntyre was elected Vice President of the Senate of Priests and later became its president in 1968. After he retired he became a Chaplin at St. Thomas Hospital.

Father McIntyre was very friendly, always smiling, and he knew everyone. He was very energetic and dedicated. He followed the rules and had a great interest in everyone he knew. In his free time he would visit his brother and his sisters, he helped to develop a vibrant parish community, and he helped in assisting people in the call to the religious community.

Father McIntyre loved children and always found time to go visit them at the school. Unlike other priests during that time, Father McIntyre was very active with the women’s groups within the parish. He started the Rosary and Altar Society, as well as the Legion of Mary. He also made a strong devotion to Mary. There is a room in Immaculate Heart of Mary School, in the gym area, called the McIntyre room, which was named in his honor.

Father McIntyre will be remembered by the many people in and out of the parish whose lives he has touched. Our school, the church, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as a stained glass window depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary, will always be signs of the many ways Father McIntyre gave back to his parishioners throughout the years.

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This is the statue of Mary that Father McIntyre had put in outside of the church.