Rev. Fr. Thomas Puthukary, TOR, of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of St. Louis, India passed away on Monday morning, 13 January 2020, at St. Martins Hospital, Ambalavayal, Wayanad Kerala, after an extended illness.
Fr. Thomas was born on 28th of February 1939 in Chapakulam in the Archdiocese of Changanassery, Kerala to the late Thomas and Theresa. At his baptism on March 8,1939, he was given the name Thomas and St. Thomas the apostle became his patron saint. After his high school studies at St. Mary’s high school, Chapakulam, he joined the minor seminary at Trichur. He became a postulant in the TOR community in 1960 and entered the novitiate in 1962. Fr. Thomas pronounced his first vows and received his religious habit on May 31, 1962. Upon completing his philosophical studies at the Major seminary at Nagpur, he made his Solemn Profession in the Seraphic order on June 10, 1965. Fr. Thomas competed his theology at St. Albert’s college, Ranchi, and was ordained a priest on November 27, 1968 at St. Francis church Gokhla. Fr. Thomas secured the Master of Arts degree in English from St. Xavier’s college, Ranchi.
During his long and very faithful Franciscan life, Fr. Thomas was truly a follower of the Poverello, St. Francis of Assisi. He ministered in most of the works of the Province. In education ministry, he was headmaster of St. Francis High, Porayahat, St. Louis High, Harmu, Principal of St. Francis I.C.S.E. School, Deoghar. In formation ministry, he was the rector of the professed at Franciscan Training Institute Ranchi, and, in pastoral ministry he was the parish priest at Babumahal. He also served as the local minister of our fraternities at Babumahal, Panamchira, Meenagadi and Mysore.
In 2016 Fr. Thomas was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which later spread to the bones. He accepted this fact with courage and resignation to the divine plan. Because of his illness he moved to the provincial house, Assisi Bhavan Bangalore, for treatment and rest. Expert medical care given by renowned doctors brought him prompt relief. However, his condition deteriorated by the end of 2019 and, on the advice of the doctors, he was shifted to St. Martins hospital Ambalavayal, Wayanad, a hospital run by the Adoration sisters for palliative care. His condition became worse leading to his sad demise on January 13, 2020 at almost the age of 81.
The solemn funeral was held at St. Francis Church Meenangadi, on January 15, 2020, in the presence of a large number of priests, religious, relatives, friends and parishioners. Most Rev. Thomas Vazapally (bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Mysore) was the main celebrant at the Mass of Christian burial and Rev. Fr. Augustine Kulapuram, TOR, Minister Provincial, officiated at the funeral rite.
During the 58 years of his religious life and 51 years of his priestly life, Fr. Thomas achieved great things for God and His people. Gifted with a variety of talents for teaching, preaching, spiritual guidance and cooking; he put his knowledge totally at the service of the Church and the Order. He was an ardent scoutmaster with the motto: leave the place a littlebetter than it was found before. He leaves behind a rich and abundant legacy: his humility, his availability and his generosity.
Fr. Thomas was so practical and genuinely human, loving and caring. Above all, he was an authentic Franciscan, a fervent religious, a role model of virtues and a great missionary.