Servite Priest - Rev. Thomas M. Crotty, O.S.M. a solemn professed friar and priest of the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites)-United States of America Province, died Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Irvine Cottages Care Center, Mission Viejo, CA.. He was seventy-eight years of age and a priest for fifty-one years.

Fr. Crotty entered the Servite Order at Mater Dolorosa Seminary, Hillside, Illinois on October 2, 1948 and the Servite Novitiate in Granville, WI on August 16, 1953 and was ordained a priest on May 28, 1960. Fr. Crotty was an instructor at St. Philip High School, Chicago, Illinois; was involved in the Province Retreat Ministry; served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows, Chicago, Illinois; Seven Holy Founders, Affton, Missouri; Our Lady of Grace, Palm Bay, Florida. He retired in 2003 at Seven Holy Founders Priory, Anaheim, California and served as a chaplain to the students at Servite High School, Anaheim, California.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 23, 2012 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 PM at St. Philip Benizi Parish, 235 S. Pine Drive, Fullerton, California. He will then be transported to Chicago, Illinois where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. Interment will be in the Servite Section of Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL In lieu of flowers please send donations in his memory to The Servite Provincial Center, 3121 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Il 60612.