Father Thomas Tobin

Funeral Mass for Father Thomas Tobin, 89, of Baker, MT, will be held 11:00 a.m. December 18, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Baker with Bishop Jeffery Fleming and Bishop Micheal Warfel concelebrating. Livestream will begin 10 min. before service begins. Burial to follow at the Holy Family Shrine in Ismay.

Visitation for Father Tobin will take place 5:00-6:30 p.m. December 17, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Church.

Rosary and Prayer Service will take place 6:30 p.m. December 17, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Church and Livestream will begin 10 min. before Rosary begins.

Father Thomas Tobin passed away December 4, 2023 at Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka.

Thomas Tobin was born in New Inn, Ireland 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 Graffon, 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 soccer 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. 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, honoring 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.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Ellen; five siblings.