Father Thomas M. Haggerty, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on Dec. 6 at 86. Father Haggerty, who was born Jan. 10, 1939, and ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1964, was pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church (Greenwood) from 2001 to 2011. 

He was also pastor of St. Sylvester (East New York) from 1989 to 2001, St. Michael (Sunset Park) from 1980 to 1989, and St. Joseph (Prospect Heights) from 1976 to 1980. He also served the Diocese of Brooklyn as parochial vicar for Most Holy Trinity (Williamsburg) from 1964 to 1976. 

Father Haggerty was born in Brooklyn and attended St. Ephrem’s School in Dyker Heights. He earned a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University. 

He served on the Bishop’s Committee on Alcoholism, 1990-2004, and was chairman of the Diocesan Addictions Committee, 2004-23. 

He was chaplain of the NYS Narcotics Addiction Control Commission, an AIDS intake/assistant counselor at GMHC, and a pastoral counsellor/addictions counsellor/psychotherapist at ICD Addiction Recovery Services. 

Msgr. Joseph Calise, pastor of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka (Maspeth), was the homilist at the funeral Mass. Msgr. Calise said “there were many people at the funeral from past assignments who spoke about him kindly and tearfully, remembering his kindness when they were in need.” He added that Father Haggerty “made sure to reach out to all who feel somehow alienated: the poor, the non-English speaking (at a time when it was not so normal), the addicted (especially among clergy), and the LGBT community in his clinical practice.” 

The funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 11 at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. Bishop Robert Brennan was the principal celebrant. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Raymond Chappetto, and Auxiliary Bishop James Massa concelebrated. 

Burial followed at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village.