Rev. Coleman Patrick O’Toole

    PORTLAND-Rev. Coleman Patrick O’Toole, 82, died peacefully at the family home in Portland after a 15 month illness of A.L.S. (commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was born in Portland on January 29, 1928, a son of Patrick J. and Delia Curran O’Toole.
    Father attended St. Dominic’s Grammar School and was a 1946 graduate of Cheverus High School.
    As a young man, he worked for the Portland Terminal Company until 1950, when he was drafted into the Army. He served in Ft. Benning, GA and in Frankfort, Germany during the Korean Conflict.
    In 1953, he entered the Cardinal O’Connell Seminary at Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts, where he studied for two years. He completed his theological studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts and was ordained on February 2, 1961 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by the Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Dominic’s Church in Portland.
    Fr. O’Toole served in the following parishes: St. Mary’s Parish, Biddeford from 1961 – 1967 as parochial vicar; St. Ann’s Indian Reservation, Peter Dana Point from 1967 – 1969 as chaplain; St. Martha’s Parish, Kennebunkport from 1969 – 1970 as parochial vicar; St. Joseph’s Parish, Portland from 1970 – 1975 as parochial vicar; St. Thomas Parish, Dover-Foxcroft 1975-1981 as pastor; St. Mary’s Parish, Houlton 1981-1987 as pastor; St. Patrick’s Parish, Portland 1987-2003 as pastor; St. Margaret’s Parish, Old Orchard Beach 2003-2009 as pastor, from where  he retired.
    During his years of priestly ministry, Fr. O’Toole also served as the Auxiliary Chaplain to the 765th Radar Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base; as Spiritual Director of Charismatic Renewal in the Bangor, Old Town, Millinocket region; as Chaplain to various councils of the Knights of Columbus; as Moderator of the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women in Houlton and as Vicar Forane of Piscataquis Deanery.
    During his nearly 49 years of ministry, he was a constant supporter of Catholic education and showed concern for the poor. He was known for being never too busy or tired to visit the sick or answer a hospital call or to respond to those in need.
    Fr. O’Toole was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, Theresa Ann O’Toole and a brother, John Francis O’Toole.
    Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Berry of Portland and Sr. Mary George O’Toole, RSM, St. Joseph’s College, Standish; two brothers, Deacon Michael J. O’Toole and his wife Millie of Wethersfield, CT, and Patrick J. O’Toole of Portland; sister-in-law, Lauretta O’Toole (Mrs. John) of Enfield, CT; and several nieces and nephews.
    There will be a 3:00 p.m. Reception of the Body and  Liturgy of the Hours on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland.  Father will lie in State until 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, at 11:00 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church. Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, ThD, Bishop of Portland, will be the principal celebrant and Rev. James Knox will be the homilist. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
    The family wants to express gratitude to VNA Home Health & Hospice and particularly to Willow, Jamie, Sarah and Kim for the generous giving of themselves when caring for Father these past several months.
    Arrangements are being handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 172 State Street, Portland. Those desiring may make donations in Father’s memory to: Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 605 Stevens Ave, Portland, Maine 04103 or St. Joseph’s College Scholarship Fund, 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine 04084. Online condolences may be sent to: www.ctcrawford.com.