Thomas Patrick Mulcahy

July 29, 1932 - February 23, 2021

BUTTE, MT — Thomas Patrick Mulcahy was born July 29, 1932, in Butte, Montana. Tom graduated from Gonzaga University (GU) in 1955, where he was Captain of the basketball and baseball teams and later became a coach and Dean of Students. In 1991 Tom was inducted into the GU Hall of Fame. After graduating, Tom pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league baseball, where he was signed by fellow GU alum Bing Crosby.

After pro ball, Tom entered Mount St. Michael’s Seminary in 1957 and was ordained a Catholic priest of the Jesuit order in 1968. While in the priesthood, Tom met Tommy Lasorda when he was pitching batting practice for Lasorda’s minor league Spokane Indians team. They remained close friends for the remainder of their lives. Tom took a job with the San Diego Padres as a Scout, then in the front office of the Padres as Director of Group Ticket Sales in 1971. In 1972 Tom married an old college friend Shirley Pemerl, professor of Biology at Mesa College. Tom worked for the Padres for 20 years, where he was actively involved in community and charitable affairs.

Tom was co-founder of the Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade along with Jim Foley, Rod Page, and others. Tom was also active in the YMCA, Irish Congress of Southern California, Nice Guys, San Diego Muscular Dystrophy Association, OMBAC, Knights of Columbus, and the Kensington Fund for the Needy. Tom was the founder of the Marine Family Christmas Fund which helps local Marines in need. Tom also ran a Yuma golf tournament for 25 years. Tom passed away peacefully in Butte, Montana.

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