Msgr. Thomas Francis Shreve passed away on April 30 at the age of 89. A funeral Mass will be offered for his soul on May 15 at Church of the Epiphany, Richmond.
Msgr. Shreve was born and raised in northern Virginia, in Falls Church and Arlington. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland; master’s degree in theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; and licentiate in canon law at the University of St. Thomas in Rome.
He was ordained a priest on May 1, 1961, in Richmond, and named monsignor with the rank of domestic prelate on February 16, 1997. The Papal Honor of Protonotary Apostolic was conferred on him on June 27, 2008, as decreed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Msgr. Shreve had assignments in the Diocese of Richmond for more than 50 years. He was associate pastor of St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral, Richmond, and pastor of St. Bridget, Richmond; St. Bede, Williamsburg; Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke; and Church of the Epiphany, Richmond.
He served as secretary to Bishop John J. Russell. Msgr. Shreve served as a judge in the diocesan tribunal, chancellor, and vicar general – the latter for more than two decades.
In retirement, Msgr. Shreve ministered for the last 10 years as a Catholic chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center, Midlothian, and St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond, until shortly before his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene G. and Virginia (McCauley) Shreve, and his brother, Jack Shreve.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Ellen (Shreve) Pearl; sister-in-law, Terry Shreve; nieces and nephews: Ginny Shreve Finley, Christine (Tom) Shreve Bowersox, Michael (Sharon) Shreve, Mark (Lisa) Shreve, John (Jenn) Pearl, Christopher Pearl, and Jennifer (Dave) Pearl Kirk.
Also surviving are his 11 great-nieces and great-nephews; 5 great-great-nieces and -nephews; as well as Shreve, McCauley, Trott, Murphy, Groschan, and Spitler cousins.