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Msgr. Thomas J. Shelley, professor emeritus of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie and Fordham University, and historian for the archdiocese, died Nov. 14. He was 85.
Cardinal Dolan will celebrate the Funeral Mass Friday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. at Ascension Church in Manhattan. The homilist will be Msgr. John A. Boehning, a classmate from St. Joseph’s Seminary. A viewing will be held at the church from 9 to 10 a.m.
He was a professor of historical theology at Fordham University, 1996-2012, and served on the faculty of St. Joseph’s Seminary, 1986-1996.
He served as historian for the archdiocese, beginning in 1988, in an appointment by Cardinal John O’Connor.
He wrote about the history of the Archdiocese of New York for the bicentennial in 2008 and of the Church in America for the bicentennial in 1989.
He published books on the history of the Catholic community in New York City and wrote “Fordham, A History of the Jesuit University of New York: 1841–2003” (Fordham University Press, 2016.) He began working on the book in 2008, shortly after completing “The Bicentennial History of the Archdiocese of New York.”
He was also the author of “Dunwoodie: The History of St. Joseph’s Seminary,” published by Christian Classics of Westminster, Md., in 1993.
In 2021, he contributed to the yearlong series in Catholic New York about priests who have served in the archdiocese titled, “May Their Memory Be a Blessing.”
He published books on the history of the Catholic community in New York City and wrote “Fordham, A History of the Jesuit University of New York: 1841–2003” (Fordham University Press). He began working on the book in 2008, shortly after completing “The Bicentennial History of the Archdiocese of New York.”
He was temporary administrator of Holy Trinity parish, Yonkers, 1993.
He taught at Cardinal Spellman High School, the Bronx, 1969-1984, and Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1964-1969.
He earlier served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes, Manhattan, and St. Aloysius, Livingston Manor.
Born in the Bronx, he attended St. Angela Merici School, the Bronx, Cathedral College and St. Joseph’s Seminary.
He earned a doctorate in Church history from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a master’s in history from Fordham University. He also did graduate work in history at New York University.
He was ordained in 1962 and named a monsignor in 1999. He retired in 2012.
Burial will be at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
