Thomas Michael O'Leary

Who was Thomas Michael O'Leary?

Thomas Michael O'Leary was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts.

The third of seven children, O'Leary was born in Dover, New Hampshire, to Michael and Margaret O'Leary. He graduated from Mungret College in Limerick, Ireland in 1892, and then studied philosophy and theology at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Maxime Decelles on December 18, 1897. He then served in parishes at Manchester and Concord, and was named chancellor and later vicar general of the Diocese of Manchester.

On June 16, 1921, O'Leary was appointed Bishop of Springfield by Pope Benedict XV. He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 8 from Archbishop Arthur Alfred Sinnott, with Bishops Michael Joseph Curley and George Albert Guertin serving as co-consecrators. During his tenure, he introduced the Passionists and Sisters of Providence, extended Mercy Hospital, and opened 24 new parishes, and was co-founder and first president of Elms College. He aided the Russian War Relief following World War II.