Obituaries
There is a light that will never go out...
It is with deepest regret that we announce the following death:
Tom O'Sullivan (1932-2007)
Tom O'Sullivan, former Southwark Diocesan President and a member of the Society for sixty years, died on the 30th April 2007. His funeral took place on the 10th May at St. Dunstan's Southborough where Tom was a member of the SVP.
A packed church with standing room only for Tom's Requiem Mass with family, some from Ireland , and many friends from far and wide was an eloquent testimony to the esteem in which he was held. Tom was first and foremost a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and his two grandsons Ciaren and Joshua joined their Uncle Kevin a paying moving tribute to Tom during the Funeral Mass, but he also gave unstintingly of himself in his care and concern for others throughout his life.
Tom was born in Tipperary , the third child in a family of six. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Limerick City where his father had taken up a new position as a commercial manager for a dairy supply company. Tom was educated by the Christian Brothers who were a tough lot and received his fair share of knocks during his primary and secondary education which prepared him well for adult life.
Tom joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Limerick at the age of fifteen and about a year later the Pioneer Association, abstaining from alcoholic drink throughout his life despite working in the catering trade for forty two years and of course, the SVP, whose members are not exactly renowned for their abstinence.
On leaving school he started work as a trainee manager at Cruise's Hotel in Limerick (where he had to pay for his training - apparently quite usual at the time). In 1953, without a job or accommodation arranged in advance, he moved to London and arrived early one morning at Euston, put his case ins the left luggage office and went on his way. He had the good fortune to run into a friend from back home who was on his way to Mass. Tom joined him, shared breakfast and quickly found a job. He worked in London for rather more than a year before moving to Paris to broaden his experience. In 1956 he moved back to London where he worked for a time at both the Savoy and Claridge's Hotels. In 1958 he joined British Transport Hotels where he remained until his retirement in 1994 by which time he was a senior control manager for British Railways.
In 1956 he met his wife Joan. They were married in 1959 and lived for a time in Norwood, South London. They later moved to Tonbridge where their son Kevin was born in 1962 and daughter Anne in 1965, bringing them great joy. The family finally settled in Southborough.
Tom was a founder member of the SVP in Tunbridge Wells when the conference was reformed in the early 1970's after being in abeyance since the early 1920's. After about a year Tom split away from St. Augustine 's to form a conference of the SVP in St. Dunstan's, Southborough and remained an active member until his death, serving long periods as the Conference President. He was a kind and considerate man giving generously of himself on every occasion, visiting the sick, housebound and lonely. Tom was a constant source of advice for many in the Society always willing to talk through difficult situations and offer support.
Tom was West Kent District Council President from 1981 to 1986 and Southwark Diocesan President from 1986 - 1991 and a member of the National Council. He was also a Trustee of the David Young's Charity for ten years. Tom joined the local circle of the Catenian Association in 1977. He held office as Chamberlain and was elected President in 1985. A member of the circle's welfare committee for a number of years, he became its Chairman in 1997, a position he held until his death.
Tom derived great spiritual comfort from frequent Mass attendance at St. Dunstan's Church in Southborough where he was also Altar Server and Minister of Communion. His was a very full and active life that touched a great many people - a life that was remarkable for its real commitment and service.
He leaves his wife Joan, two children and two grandchildren, sadly diminished by his death. Considering the scope of his life's work one is reminded of the gospel story of the good and faithful servant.