Terrence Celeste O'Toole

Priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, died on January 18th, 2017 in Halifax.

Born in Halifax on April 6, 1928, to Terrence M. O’Toole and Sarah (Sullivan) O’Toole, he received his early education at St. Mary’s College High School, completed undergraduate studies at Saint Mary’s University, and theology at Holy Heart Seminary, all in Halifax.

Terrence O’Toole was ordained to priesthood by Most Rev. Alfred Leverman in 1952 at Holy Heart Seminary. Father O’Toole served as assistant priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral (1952) and St. Lawrence’s (1964), Halifax. He served as Pastor at St. Augustine’s, Chester (1966), Sacred Heart, Lakeside (1970), St. Stephen’s, Halifax (1974), St. Paul’s, Dartmouth (1982), St. Bernard’s, Enfield (1990), St. Paul’s, Herring Cove (1992) He retired from full-time ministry in July 2000. Father O’Toole served on various diocesan committees and as the Confessor for the Sisters of Charity at the Motherhouse (1992). Throughout his ministry and life, Father O’Toole had a particular devotion to care for the less-fortunate and the marginalized.

Father O’Toole is survived by his nephews, Patrick Graves, Michael Hennessey, Dennis Graves, John Hennessey, Paul Hennessey, Kevin Graves, and Brian Hennessey; and his nieces, Kate Graves, Maribeth Dye, Paula Miller, Susan Hann.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Barbara Graves (William) and Sheila Hennessey (Eric) and foster-sister, Eileen Nickerson.

Father Terry very much enjoyed spending time near the ocean; either at his trailer in East Pennant where his sisters both had cottages and in Herring Cove where his mother was born and raised. He loved sailing and owned his own sailboat for many years. Many card games were enjoyed with brothers-in-law Bill and Eric.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of St. Vincent’s Nursing Home for the excellent care provided to Father Terry over the past couple of years.

Funeral rites will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, Herring Cove, with visitation in the church on Friday, January 20th, 2017 beginning at 3:00 pm, followed by Evening Prayer Vigil at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial, with Archbishop Anthony Mancini presiding, will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 21st, 2017. A reception will immediately follow in the Church Hall. The committal will take place after the reception at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society or to St. Vincent’s Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Snow’s Funeral Home.