Obituary of Thomas Joseph Lever

Lever, Reverend Thomas Joseph, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at St. Joseph's Hospice, Sarnia in his 84th year and 57th year of priesthood. Father Lever was born in Sarnia, Ontario on April 9, 1930 to Arthur & Olive Lever, ordained to the priesthood by Bishop J.C. Cody on June 1, 1957 at Peter's Cathedral Basilica, London, and retired in June 2003. He attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and St. Patrick's High School, Sarnia and St. Peter's Seminary, London. He ministered as Associate Pastor and Pastor to the parishes of St. Joseph, Chatham (1957-1962), St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica, London (1962-1967), Holy Cross, London (1967-1968), Blessed Sacrament, Windsor (1970-1977), St. Joseph the Worker, Windsor (1977-1981), diocesan Mission in Peru (1981-1987), Sacred Heart, Sarnia (1988-1998), St. Michael, London (1998-2003). He also served as Diocesan Coordinator of Youth, Chatham (1968-1970), Diocesan Director Young Christian Student – Youth Christian Workers, Windsor (1969-1970), Diocesan Consultor (1970-1980, 1988), Dean of Windsor (1976,1979,1980), Dean of Lambton (1995), Director of Priest Personnel (1988-2003) and Director of Diaconal Ministry (2005-2007). He is survived by his sister Helen (Tom) Burns, Sterling Heights, MI. Predeceased by brother Robert (Bob) Lever. Also survived by several nieces & nephews. Father Tom will be waked at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, 390 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Thursday from 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. and on Friday from 9-10:45 a.m. Parish prayers will be offered at 7 p.m. Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Higgins at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 11 a.m. Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431. N. Christina St., Sarnia, 519-344-3131. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Fr. Tom Lever in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 21st, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area