Thomas A. Dooling, 75, died peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Shelby House Assisted Living in Helena, Montana. He was born April 13, 1942, in Jackson, Montana to John and Dorothea (Matthews) Dooling, the fifth of six children. He earned his BA in English Literature from Harvard University, his BS in Chemistry from the University of Miami, and his law degree from George Washington University. He served as Foreign Services Reserve Officer for the United States Department of State in Washington DC. After moving back to Montana, he opened his own law practice in Dillon, and later served as attorney at Disability Rights Montana, in Helena. In 2000, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, and by his three sisters: Catherine Dooling, Mary Ann Troedsson, and Janet Bertino. He is survived by a brother, John Dooling of Jackson; a sister, Ellen Dooling Reynard, of Nevada City, CA; by six daughters: Daniella Dooling, of Tivoli, NY, Amy Dooling, of Guilford, CT, Charlotte Dooling, of New York City, Jennifer Dooling Koschalk, of Potomac, MD, Ellie Dooling, of Washington DC, and Maggie Dooling McBeth, of Sharps, Virginia; four sons: Steve Dooling of Somers, Andy Dooling, Joe Dooling, and Tom Dooling of Helena; and by twenty seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 28th at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Helena, with a private burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ACLU. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Thomas.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday October 28, 2017
St. Peter's Cathedral Cathedral
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday October 28, 2017
St. Peter's Cathedral Cathedral
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Terri Kunz says
I am so sorry for your loss. Met your dad so many years ago in Dillon. A character :). Blessings,
Terri Kunz says
I am sorry for your loss. Met your dad so many years ago in Dillon-many blessings and prayers.
Anne Bauer says
Tom was a mentor to many, a comforter of the afflicted, an affliction on the comfortable, a man of great accomplishment, and a man of great humility. I will miss him and my heart goes out to his family at such a loss.
Chuck Ott says
I knew Tom back in the early 90’s when I was attending Montana State University and a friend of the family. Tom was so supportive of me and was always up for a conversation about art (sculpture, painting, movies and books). I loved the log cabin that he and his family lived in just north of Dillon and especially loved their family meals. I have so many memories of him at the dinner table listening and responding in a thoughtful manner. It was always so much fun to be a part of these gatherings. I especially appreciated his honesty with me regarding our world views which at times were different. Never did he make me feel like my ideas were small or irrelevant. In fact, he challenged me and at times would comment a day or to later about something I had said. I loved our conversations. i loved his energy and spirituality and I loved how he took a sincere interest and liking to me.
I am so sorry that I never made good on the one request he made of me, to invite him to my wedding. Unfortunately, I did not married before he passed. I would have loved to have him attend the wedding ceremony and of course the reception.
My thoughts go out to his family as I wish them the best. Tom and his family will always have a special place in my heart.
Joseph Robert Sokoloski says
I lived, after my military discharge in Dillon at the Dooling ranch for over 2 years.. I went there with Annes brother John from CT. I think it was the best years I had. Tom and Ann made their own butter, yarn . Had vegetables aplenty from the garden.. I board by board with Anns brother torn down a old building Tom reused back on the ranch. I also driven accross the country delivering Cashmire goats to buyers.. I just now learned of his death.. Best of luck to the boys and Dannel who was around 12 in 1983 Bless all..