WORCESTER-Monsignor Thomas J. Needham, 67, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, died Wednesday, October 23rd in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center. He leaves his brother John P. Needham of Worcester, 3 sisters; Mary Hoey of Marshfield, Julia Needham of Oxford, and his twin sister Ann Coleman of Worcester, many nephews and nieces.
He was born in Worcester the son of Thomas J. and C. Agnes (O’Malley) Needham. He was a graduate of St. John’s High School, and attended Holy Cross College. He graduated from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton where he studied Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained a priest February 4th, 1961 by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. He was assigned as a curate to Our Lady of the Angels Church, he then served as Assistant to the Director for the Society for Propagation of the Faith. He served at St. Bernard’s Church in Worcester and was later assigned as Campus Minister for Worcester State and Leicester Junior Colleges. Other assignments included St. Catherine of Sweden Church in Worcester, St. Joseph’s Church in Auburn, Pastor of St. Joseph the Good Provider in Berlin, and Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Worcester. In 1984 he was appointed Director of the Society for Propagation of the Faith until 1989 when he was named Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Lancaster. In 1991 he was named Prelate of Honor, from Rome. Monsignor Needham had served as Pastor of Immaculate Conception parish since 1993. He was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed traveling to Ireland.
A concelebrated funeral mass will be held 9:30 AM, Saturday, October 26th in Immaculate Conception Church, 351 Grove Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, October 25th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the church. Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly will lead a wake service at 7:00 PM, Friday in the church. Please omit flowers and make contributions to either the Society for Propagation of the Faith, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or to Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605. O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue, is directing arrangements.