Father Thomas Tobin
January 30, 1934 — December 4, 2023
Baker / Ekalaka and Knockgraffon / Cahir
Funeral Mass for Father Thomas Tobin, age 89, of Baker, MT, was held on December 18,
2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Baker with Bishop Jeffery Fleming and
Bishop Micheal Warfel concelebrating.
Father Thomas Tobin passed away December 4, at Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka.
Thomas Tobin was born in Knockgraffon, New Inn on January 30, 1934 to Patrick and Ellen
Tobin. He and his siblings were raised on the family farm. Thomas answered Gods calling to
serve and was ordained a Catholic priest on June 14, 1959 in Knockgraffon, Tipperary,
Ireland.
Fr. Tobin made the decision to leave his homeland and serve in Billings, MT in 1959 where
he was an assistant at St. Pius X for a year. Fr. Tobin was assigned over the next several years
in Livingston, Great Falls, Columbus, HIlger and Big Sandy. Fr. Tobin moved to Baker in
1978 and served as the priest at St. John the Evangelist in Baker and St. Anthony in Plevna.
In 1992, he also was happy and willing to start serving at St. Joan of Arc in Ekalaka, MT. He
served these three parishes and put on countless miles over the years, always with a
welcoming smile to all who entered his parishes. Being a true Godly man and kind soul, he
believed all deserved to know the Lord. During his 37 years in Eastern Montana, he became a
familiar face to all. Fr. Tobin was born a competitor growing up playing hurling and football
in Ireland and then becoming as avid Notre Dame fan. He would always keep his parishes
informed on the Notre Dame’s wins and losses. Golfing became a passion for Fr. Tobin
whether it be on the golf course, driving from behind the church to the BHS football field or
from the high spots of Medicine Rocks. Fr. Tobin had a bigger than life personality and he
made a tremendous impact on the people of Eastern Montana.
Fr Tom never forgot his roots and was a regular visitor back home until his health
deteriorated in recent years. He always tried to be home for All Ireland Finals especially if
Tipperary were involved. Tom was a great supporter of Tipperary GAA and his local club
Rockwell Rovers which always remained close to his heart. Indeed, Tom’s younger brother
Gus lost his life through a freak accident playing with Rockwell Rovers in 1959. Every year
the Reverend A Tobin Cup is presented to the West Tipperary Junior A champions. Rockwell
Rovers were the first winners of the cup in 1960 and Fr James Meehan CC Thurles and later
pp of New Inn presented the cup to team captain Tom O’Dwyer, Knockgraffon). Fr Tom
wrote an article “Memories from the 1940’s New Inn and Montana” for the club history book
in 2018, which he was delighted to receive.
Fr. Tobin moved to Ekalaka and continued to celebrate Mass daily at St. Joan of Arc after his
official retirement in August of 2015. Fr. Tobin was recognized as “Priest of the Year” by the
Montana Knights of Columbus in 2019, honouring his impact in Montana over the 60 years
he had been a priest.
Fr. Tobin asks that all Laugh and Rejoice, I say it again REJOICE! I’ll be watching you guys.Fr. Thomas Tobin will be greatly missed by all those he so greatly influenced, especially
those of Eastern Montana and also his old friends in New Inn and Knockgraffon who
remember Tom for his good humour and ready laugh.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Ellen; five siblings, sisters Gertie, May,
Philomena and brothers Pat and Gus.
Mass for Fr Tom will be in Knockgraffon Church at 9.30am on Sunday January 7, 2024.
Rest in peace Fr Tom.
