THOMAS ALOYSIUS BIR

November 13, 2023

Mr. Thomas Aloysius Bir age 90 of San Antonio passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023. For nine days of his Christus Santa Rosa Hospital and VITAS Hospice care, he was prayed over in song by family and friends, the last songs being Christmas carols.

The final words he heard before he found himself in the loving arms of the Holy Family were from his favorite carol, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: “Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice!”

Music has run for generations through his Stein mother’s family and continues today. He himself had sung tenor in choirs in several states, founding a Civic Chorus in Wisconsin where he was the parish choir director for many years.

From his early years of watching and helping his artist father on church scaffolds painting religious art on vaulted ceilings and domes, to his MVP high school basketball-playing days to his five years at Precious Blood Seminary in Indiana/Ohio. From Dayton University where he met his beloved Barbara, through his two years in the US Army followed by his secondary market and banking careers as a securities broker, mortgage banker, VP and owner of a private consulting firm then Senior VP at an S&L Bank. From his 16 years as an ESL instructor at Lackland’s Defense Language Institute. Through gardening, woodworking and extensive traveling. Through Notre Dame’s victories and defeats, laughter and family adventures, he never lost sight of his upbringing of strong faith, family, giving and humble spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara (Barkhurst) Bir; children, Anthony Francis Bir (Elaine), Clare Maria Carrillo (Ron), Philip Richard Bir, Celine Marya Bir-Olvera (David), and John Andrew Bir (Noemi); grandchildren, Kathryn, Eliana, Madeline, Joshua, Zachary, Matthew, Chloe, Thomas, Johnny, Hanna, Benjamin, and Nicole, and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members and dear family friends.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will be on Friday, November 24th at 3:00pm with a Rosary to be recited at 4:00pm at The Angelus Chapel. Memorial Mass will be offered on Saturday, November 25th at 9:30am at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery at Cordi-Marian on Monday, November 27th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to littleflowerbasilica. org or The Brigidine Sisters of San Antonio or cpps-preciousblood.org

Condolences may be sent to the Bir family at www.theangelusfuneralhome.com