Monsignor Thomas Francis Campion, age 79, of Monroe, died peacefully at his home on Friday, November 12, 2010. He was born on May 11, 1931 in Janesville, the son of William and Gertrude W. (Croak) Campion. In 1957, he was ordained a priest and became an assistant priest at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Portage. He was a teacher at Edgewood High School in Madison for five years and then taught at Beloit Catholic High School. His work continued as an assistant at St. Bernard's and St. James Catholic Church in Madison and Chaplain at Madison General Hospital. On October 31, 1967 Monsignor Campion founded the Apostolate to the Handicapped and on December 3, 1967 established the first TV Mass on Sundays for shut-ins on WISC-TV Channel 3. He became Chaplain at St. Clare Hospital on May 1, 1972 and served for many years in that capacity. Monsignor Campion was endeared to the community for decades, known as "Father Tom" or simply as "TC" to many. Fr. Tom spent countless hours with the Monroe High School sports programs, rarely missing any sporting events. At any given time one would walk or drive through Monroe and you would see one of his famous T-shirts, "Campion's Champions." He was named a Monsignor in 2000.
He is survived by his sister, Teresa Bier of Tucson, AZ; her children, Mary Kay, Anne Marie, and Sarah, Kristin, and Kenneth; sister-in-law, Helen Campion; her children, Bill, Paul, Teresa, Tom, Cathy, Dennis, and Maureen; seven step nieces and nephews; and also 28 great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Gertrude and William Campion; step father, Francis Croak; brother, Paul Edward Campion; step brother, Allan Croak; and step sister, Betty Martin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at 10:00 A.M. at the Monroe High School. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 26, 2010, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Monroe High School. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Janesville. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Monsignor Thomas Campion memorial fund. The Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
He is survived by his sister, Teresa Bier of Tucson, AZ; her children, Mary Kay, Anne Marie, and Sarah, Kristin, and Kenneth; sister-in-law, Helen Campion; her children, Bill, Paul, Teresa, Tom, Cathy, Dennis, and Maureen; seven step nieces and nephews; and also 28 great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Gertrude and William Campion; step father, Francis Croak; brother, Paul Edward Campion; step brother, Allan Croak; and step sister, Betty Martin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at 10:00 A.M. at the Monroe High School. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 26, 2010, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Monroe High School. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Janesville. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Monsignor Thomas Campion memorial fund. The Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.