August 16, 2019
It is another beautiful day on the campus of St. John’s University. There is a sadness amongst us because our dear friend Father Hilary Thimmesh died on Sunday. Father Hillary officed next door to me here on the third floor of Wimmer Hall. I saw him many times during the week. I always knew when he had arrived, because he would fire up his electric tea pot. He was an English major after all. Just last Friday he stopped by to tell me about having learned how to have his computer read his email messages to him. He was so happy about this newly discovered technology.
Amongst his many duties, he served as the 10th President of St. John’s University from 1982 until 1991. He touched many lives, but I was amazed at his ability to continue to serve. He was as a floor resident in St. Thomas Hall from 1963 until spring of 2019. This would have been the first fall that he was not a resident there. Many of the Johnnie football players were housed in Tommy Hall. I can imagine the numerous times that he counseled a young man as the tough times were sure to come their way.
There will be a celebration of the Eucharist of Christian Burial for Father Hilary at 3:30 today in Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.
The poem that is attached is dedicated to his memory.
Live from Here this week is a rebroadcast. The next live performance is on Saturday September 7th from New York City. Check the schedule at livefromhere.org
Category : General 