Thomas M. McFadden, an educator who held a variety of leadership roles, including 14 years as a college president, has died. He was 87. He lived in Pittsford, New York.
He became President of Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, in 1992 and served until 2006, overseeing the formation of a campus master plan and the acquisition of nearly 12 acres of property from the U.S. Navy. While guiding the college, he had an unwavering commitment to advancing its mission, significantly improving its finances and visibility.
At St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the University from 1987 to 1992. He played a leading role in establishing the college’s nursing program. It’s now a nursing school with a strong national reputation. At St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, he served as professor of religion and later the Dean of Arts and Sciences. He spent a year at the University of Colorado during a 1980 sabbatical.
After he retired from Marymount in 2006, Thomas and Monica McFadden returned to upstate New York, settling near their daughter and their grandchildren.
Thomas More McFadden was born in New York City on Nov. 12, 1935, one of two children of Thomas and Kathryn (Smith). His sister, Carol, died in 2008.
As a youngster in Queens, he loved playing street stickball and organized baseball, later becoming a pitcher for a team in the Northern New Jersey Baseball Association. Focusing on his studies, he decided to become a priest and graduated from Cathedral College in Brooklyn.
He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome for four years, where classes and oral exams were given in Latin. He resided at the North American College with fellow seminarians. Returning to the U.S., he served as an ordained priest in the Brooklyn Diocese for eight years. He received his doctorate in theology at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
As he came to question church teachings during a time of great change, he obeyed his conscience and left the clerical ministry, marrying Monica Aldine Dowdall, a researcher for Time magazine. He always said it was the very best decision he ever made. During the early years of their marriage, he worked as an editor and wrote over a thousand articles for the three-volume Encyclopedic Dictionary of Religion. He worked on this project for nearly a year while living in Ireland. He also edited several books for the College Theology Society, of which he was a member.
During the summer of 1971, he went to India after receiving a grant from the NIH to study M.K. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence. During that time, he lived at a Gandhian ashram.
He was a strong believer in community involvement, serving on numerous boards and advisory committees. To name just a couple: He served on the Catholic-Jewish Relations Committee for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and while in California sat on the board of trustees of the Skirball Center for American Values. He served for many years as a commissioner of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a regional accrediting body in higher education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
During his retirement in upstate New York, he volunteered his time teaching English to refugees building a life in the Rochester area. Until recently, he and Monica also regularly delivered food to needy homebound people for Meals on Wheels. He entertained his friends and loved ones with his genuinely warm and witty personality.
His interests were wide, and he was a voracious reader. He loved tennis, baseball, sailing and golf. He had been a member of the Mendon Golf Club and thoroughly enjoyed taking the “dollar pot.“ He was always an enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren’s pursuits and interests, passing on his love of travel and adventure to them. He was a true lover of life, embracing new experiences and new friendships across the decades. He traveled widely and loved forging connections to bring people together.
Tom’s family appreciates the common theme of many remembrances shared with them this week, of his teaching of the true art of friendship and how to cultivate that.
In addition to Monica, Tom’s beloved wife of 55 years, he is survived by his two children, Monica Gebhardt, Fairport, NY, and David McFadden (Kimberly John ), Montreal, Canada, and his four loving grandchildren: Emily, Sarah, Cameron, and Riley. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Gwen Bolan, George and Jean Dowdall and his nieces Nancy Bolan-Campbell ( Scott) , Claire Bolan, Nina Greeley ( Doug) and their children; Olivia, Nathan, LilyClaire, Julia, and Sophie. Pre-deceased by brother-in-law Cletus Bolan and Claire’s husband Paul McNeice.
There will be calling hours Saturday, December 17 at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd. Fairport, NY) from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service with words of remembrance.
In lieu of flowers, Tom may be remembered by tribute contributions to Doctors Without Borders ( https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/make-donation-honor-someone ) PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5030 / Telephone: 1-888-392-0392.
Comments
23 responses to “McFadden, Thomas M.”
Our sincere condolences to Monica and family
Tom was one of a kind
We so much enjoyed our summer nights sitting on the deck with refreshments! His
wit and sense of humor was so sharp
So glad our lives crossed, a truly good man and he will be missed and remembered forever by us both!
God speed our friend!
Chris &Rosie
Sat behind Tom for four years of high school and four years of college. His cheerful comments toppled the tedium of an otherwise boring environment . He had the wit and charm of an Irish statesman.
The world has lost a wonderful man.The most good-natured person that you will ever meet. Highly educated, he was a great conversationalist with a wide variety of interests, and the only person that we have ever known who was fluent in Latin. Despite his achievements, he was a humble person, always supportive of other people, and never complained of the insults about his golf game. Good friend, we are going to miss you.
Tom McFadden was one of St John Fisher University’s best Deans! A superb human being – intelligent, collegial, warm. Wen he left Fisher to assume the Presidency out in California, it was clear that he landed a perfectly suitable position. And, apparently, he thrived there as a successful President (something that isn’t always a given!). We saw him numerous times at GEVA productions and occasionally hither and thither and enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm. As Dean he arranged a baseball game at Cooperstown between the Fisher faculty and the St. Joseph’s faculty. He was our pitcher. Unfortunately, we lost the game, but all os could safely say we played in the Hall of Fame Abner Doubleday Stadium in Cooperstown! At one our meetings we reminisced about that! God Bless Tom McFadden, gentleman and scholar.
I met Tom at St. John Fisher College when he was appointed as the VP for Academic Affairs in 1987, and had many interactions with him over his tenure there. He was a patient, thoughtful, kind and honest person; a true gentleman always trying to lift others. He was also an accomplished intellectual who was at the same time a very humble person. I found that a unique gift not bestowed upon others.
After his return from California, a few retirees from Fisher met with Tom a number of times in social settings and discovered his sense of humor. He was great at telling stories and Irish jokes.
He will be greatly missed and remembered by us all.
God bless.
I was a member of the Board of Trustees of Marymount College in Palos Verdes for ten years while Tom was president. He was an excellent administrator and the college prospered under his leadership. But the thing that I loved about Tom was his humanity. He cared deeply about Marymount and its students, faculty and staff and this came through in everything he did. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye and you knew that he loved what he was doing. I extend my condolences and deepest sympathy to Monica and their family. Tom’s physical presence is irreplaceable but the memories of this friendly, good-natured and loving husband, father and friend will last forever.
I served on Tom‘s cabinet at Marymount where I taught English. Tom was faithful to the mission of the RSHM founders and always supported spirituality and morality. Everything you said about him is true, and I treasure memories of him and Monica. Thanks for your tribute to him. Chuck Spurgeon
Our deep condolences to Tom’s entire family. He is leaving such a beautiful family, and honorable legacy. What an amazing life he led.
I knew Tom through his membership at Mendon golf club. Tom was a true gentleman and an absolute pleasure to be around. My deepest sympathies to the family.
I along with hundreds of others morn the death of our good friend Tom. . He was the most honest and ethical person I ever knew. I told him once that if I was still teaching I would use him as a role model of what a person, young or old should be like. Tom always looked at the bright side of the events in life that caused stress and always looked at the best side of a person no matter how they were behaving. Tom will be greatly missed by all that knew him and I hope he is saving men a spot in his foursome if I am ever lucky enough to join him in heaven..
What an awesome legacy Thomas McFadden has keft. I met Tom in March 2012 when his son married my daughter. His love of life and positivity were infectious. I thoroughly enjoyed conversations with him and was touched by his sincere caring. Condolences to Monica snd the family..
I taught for forty-six years and Tom was the finest administrator for whom I served. He was unique in that he was not threatened by my questioning policies that he promoted. He would allow me the freedom to speak my mind and to disagree with him. That is a very rare quality in an administrator.. I have the utmost respect for him. I shall miss him.
Funny story: I was in his office one time when his assistant came in to ask if he wanted to go to a lunch at Trump National Golf Club to hear Donald Trump speak. The look on his face said it all…”I don’t think so”..
Only respect for this man as a person, friend and administrator.
Monica, Monica, David and family,
Our hearts are heavy at the news of Tom’s passing. He was such a remarkable person and lived an exemplary life. His many kindnesses to us during your years in Havertown made a difference in our lives and we will never forget. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brice and Mary Wachterhauser
When I think of Tom I think of a true “Renaissance Man”…. a friend to all. Bright, engaging, caring and devoted to his family. It was a privilege to know him and to call him a friend. I will miss him on the golf course, his infectious smile and our personal conversations. Mendon will not be the same…sincerest sympathy to his beloved family.
My condolences to Monica and Tom’s family. Tom made a big difference soon after he became the Provost as St. John Fisher College (now University). He asked me to launch an Arts program and it still exists. He supported my request to invite Chinua Achebe, the great Nigerian novelist, to visit my class in Postcolonail Literature and give a public address at the college. It was expensive, but Tom didn’t hesitate, neither did the President, Dr. Pickett, and we also got financial help and colaberation from Nazareth College. It was a wonderful occasion. And soon after he arrived, when a group of female faculty members told him that we were paid less than male faculty with the same qualifications, he immediately rectified the situation! I remember Tom with respect and admiration.
I will miss my Sunday afternoon golf adventures with Tom at Mendon golf club. What a wonderful way to enjoy the company of one of the most engaging and sincere people I’ve ever met. He was always a joy to be with and I feel blessed that Tom and Monica have been in my life. Bill Caren
Tom, was a member of Mendon golf club with me. He alswsys struck me a a guided person and special soul. At one point I said to someone that he remind me of a priest. Then I learned that he was one. To emulate Tom would be difficult for anyone. My heart goes out to his family for such a big loss.
Tom was a unique individual with an old soul. He was genuine and caring and was very humble. I once remarked that he could have been a priest and lo and behold I found out that he was one. He will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to his family for such a big loss.
I had the pleasure of playing golf with Tom a number of times. If there ever was anyone who fit the definition of a gentleman, it was Tom. I remember asking him to in for a drink after golf one time. He said he would like to, but had committed to meet his wife for their usual 5:00 drink at home. I remember thinking how nice that was.. I didn’t know Tom that well, but I did know him well enough to know that indeed he was a special kind of person. My condolences to Monica and his family
David, Kim, Riley and McFadden family, I am so sorry for your loss. As I read Tom’s tribute, it brought to mind when I met him at David and Kim’s wedding celebration in Jamaica – he was full of life and someone with whom I would have gladly spent more time. I imagine the large void that he has left and trust that you will be comforted with sweet, funny and grounding memories. Karen
This saddens me beyond words. Not because Tom has left anything undone — what a wonderful and accomplished life! But for me — a Johnny come lately in Tom’s colorful life — the sadness is about what we all will miss — that sparkle, that wit, that certain something that made Tom such good company every time I had the pleasure of seeing him.
i know all who knew Tom even as casually as I did are feeling this loss. Let’s keep him close in spirit. To Tom’s beloved family, I offer prayers and sympathy, with the hope that – in time – you will be comforted knowing that Tom’s legacy lives on. To Tom himself I want to shout across the fairway: ” Well done ! Yours was truly a wonderful life!”
Dear Monica & Family: We were all saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. He influenced so many lives for the better, including our family, and we cherish the memories of Tom and Carmela working together on Hawk Hill. No doubt she greeted him with a list of appointments. Wish I could have made it up for the services. All our love, Joe Lunardi & Family.
I will greatly miss Tom. As a friend and fellow golfing partner, we had several wonderful and successful outings, especially the Senior Men’s League Scrabble. And Rose and I will always cherish our times together with Monica and Tom.