QUINCY — Father Thomas Shaughnessy, OFM, of St. Francis Solanus Friary in Quincy, died Nov. 29 in Blessing Hospital at age 81. He was born Aug. 3, 1933 in St. Louis, the son of Thomas and Margaret Moore Shaughnessy.

In 1947 he entered St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont to study for the priesthood in the Sacred Heart Province of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). He professed his solemn perpetual vows July 5, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1960 in Teutopolis.

Father Tom experienced a variety of ministries, including being chaplain at a high school, an assistant pastor, certified special education teacher, and a minister to the needy at the Franciscan Connection in St. Louis. At the age of 60, because he understood that there was a need in the Catholic Church for more friars to minister to Hispanic people, he learned to speak and write Spanish.

Father Tom was known for being very caring of people and for his sense of humor and Irish wit. As a man of deep faith, living his life as a Franciscan and his love for the priestly ministry were first and foremost to him. His latest assignment was as senior associate and in Hispanic ministry at St. Francis Solanus Parish, where he served for nine years. He had also served in Joliet, New Lenox and Chicago in Illinois; and in Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota, and Texas.

He is survived by his brother Richard (Dorothy) Shaughnessy of Carlisle, Pa., and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his Franciscan family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Evola (Harry) Knight.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Dec. 4 at St. Francis Solanus Church with interment in Calvary Cemetery in Quincy. Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart, 3140 Meramec St., St. Louis, MO, 63118, for the care of the elderly and infirm friars. Duker & Haugh Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.