Fr. Robert O'Halloran

Robert Thomas O’Halloran, C.S.B. died peacefully in his sleep September 3rd, 2010 at Anglin House, Toronto, ON, after a lengthy illness. At the time of his death, he was in his 78th year, the 59th of religious life, and the 50th of priesthood. Fr. Bob was born in Rochester, N.Y., November 27, 1932, one of five children of Francis and Sophia (Updaw) O’Halloran. He attended Corpus Christi elementary school then Aquinas Institute, Rochester and professed first vows 15th August the following year. Fr. Bob spent the next four years at the University of St. Michael’s College. After graduation, he taught at Aquinas Institute in Rochester 1955-57, and then returned to Toronto where he pursued his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood June 29th, 1960. Fr. O’Halloran was then assigned to Andrean High School, Merrillville, Indiana where he taught and was Assistant Principal for seven years. In 1968 he returned to Rochester teaching at Aquinas Institute for two years, then as Dean of Studies at St. John Fisher College for the next seven years. From 1977 to 1983 he was given the post of Chaplain and Superior of St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon. Father’s next appointment was to St. Joseph’s Center, Sugar Land, Texas where he worked for the Basilian Missions until 1991, at which time he returned to the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto where he became Registrar until his retirement from that post in 2002. Due to poor health, Father Bob retired to Anglin House, Toronto in 2010. Trained in Latin and Greek, he taught many different subjects in his high school work, and during his ten years as registrar at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto he helped countless students make lifetime choices. As Procurator for many years of the Basilian Fathers’ missionary activities in Texas and Latin America, he drove across Canada, the United States, and Mexico year after year giving appeals for the financial support of the missions. Fr. O’Halloran is predeceased by his parents, sister Mrs. Joseph (Margaret) Gleason, brothers Francis (Budd) and James. To his brother-in-law and sister, Frederick and Jean Lapple, sister-in-law Mrs. James O’Halloran (Lily) and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and numerous friends, the Basilian Fathers offer their condolences and a promise of prayers. There will be a vigil service on Tuesday September 7th at 7:30 pm, with visitation from 2:00 to 5:00 pm., at the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the same chapel on Wednesday September 8th, at 10:00 am. Burial will be in the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Thornhill. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2R9