Rev. Thomas Francis 'Mike' Mitchell, O.M.I.
Missionary Oblate Priest for 64 years
TEWKSBURY Rev. Thomas Francis "Mike" Mitchell, OMI, 90, died on Monday, May 26, 2008 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA. He was born on May 21, 1918 in Newton, MA, the son of the late Thomas Francis and Armanda (Morrell) Mitchell.
Fr. Mitchell entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on August 1, 1938 at the novitiate in Hudson, NH. He made his first vows on August 2, 1939 and his perpetual vows on September 8, 1942. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 1944 at St. Jean-Baptiste Church in Lowell, MA by Bishop Jean-Louis Collignon, OMI.
In 1945, Fr. Mitchell received his first assignment to the missions in Haiti at Roche-a-Bateau. He ministered in Haiti for 61 years, where he was active in parish ministry until about 1997. He then served as chaplain in a nursing home and to children in a youth home until departure. He returned to the States in January, 2006 due to failing health and resided at the Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, TX until May of 2006. In June of 2006 he transferred to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA where he remained until his death. He continued to remain attached to the missions in Haiti by sending financial assistance when possible.
He is survived by a sister, Mary Casey, of Waltham, MA and a brother, Edward Mitchell, of N. Leominster, MA.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 2 UNTIL 4 AND 7 UNTIL 9 P.M. ON THURSDAY WITH A VESPER SERVICE AT 7:30 P.M. AT THE CHAPEL AT THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY RESIDENCE, 486 CHANDLER STREET, TEWKSBURY MA. ON FRIDAY, HIS MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY, 96 RIVERNECK ROAD, EAST CHELMSFORD, MA. ARRANGEMENTS BY MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF FR. MITCHELL MAY BE MADE TO THE OBLATE INFIRMARY FUND, 486 CHANDLER ST., TEWKSBURY MA 01876 OR TO THE OBLATE MISSIONS IN HAITI, C/O OBLATE FOREIGN MISSIONS, 60 WYMAN ST., LOWELL MA 01852-2841. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
RUN thurs, 5/29 FUNERAL NOTICE
MITCHELL Rev. Thomas Francis "Mike" Mitchell, OMI, 90, died May 26, 2008 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury. You are invited to his calling hours 2 until 4 and 7 until 9 p.m. on Thursday with a Vesper Service at 7:30 p.m. at the CHAPEL AT THE IMMACULATE HEARTOF MARY RESIDENCE, 486 CHANDLER ST., TEWKSBURY. On Friday, His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Burial in St. Josephs Cemetery, 96 Riverneck Rd.,East Chelmsford. Arrangements by the McDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. Donations in memory of Fr. Mitchell may be made to the the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury MA 01876 or to the Oblate Missions in Haiti, c/o Oblate Foreign Missions, 60 Wyman St., Lowell MA 01852-2841. E-condolence site www.McDonoughFuneralHome.com
