Bro. Thomas Francis Laur, O.S.B., 80, a Benedictine monk of Saint Anselm Abbey in Goffstown died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 at Catholic Medical Center, Manchester.
Bro. Thomas had lived at Bishop Peterson Residence, Manchester, due to declining health for the past several years.
During his years at Saint Anselm, Bro. Thomas served as secretary to the late Abbot Gerald F. McCarthy, O.S.B., and worked in the registrar’s office at Saint Anselm College. In 1976, Bro. Thomas was assigned to Woodside Priory, a Benedictine monastery and preparatory school in Portola Valley, Calif., that is operated by monks of Saint Anselm. At Woodside, Bro. Thomas served as an admissions officer, school librarian and art teacher. After his retirement from duties at the school, he returned to Saint Anselm in 1996.
He entered the novitiate at Saint Anselm in September of 1966 and professed his first monastic vows on Sept. 8, 1967. He made solemn, or lifetime, vows in September of 1971.
The eldest child of the late Frank J. and Evelyn R. (Bean) Laur, Bro. Thomas was born June 11, 1928, in Baltimore, Md. He was educated in Toledo, Ohio schools and later attended Cathedral College in New York City and Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College in Dunwoodie, N.Y., receiving a B.A. degree from New York University in 1952. He also studied at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and Hunter College in New York City.
Prior to entering Saint Anselm, Bro. Thomas worked professionally as a commercial artist and technical illustrator in the New York City and Stamford, Conn., area.
Bro. Thomas was a gifted opera singer and made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 16, 1964.
In addition to his Benedictine community, Bro. Thomas leaves his brother-in-law, William McCormac of Broomfield, Colo., as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ellen (Laur) McCormac, and his brother, William Laur.
The monastic community will receive the body of Bro. Thomas during noon prayer at Saint Anselm Abbey Church on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. Friends of the community may call at the abbey church up to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, a Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the abbey church on campus. Burial will follow in Saint Leander’s Cemetery adjacent to the abbey.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions in memory of Bro. Thomas to Saint Anselm Abbey.
Lambert Funeral Home, Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.