Father Thomas A. Flowers, a priest of the Diocese of Wilmington for more than 46 years, died April 17. He was 73.
Father Flowers was a longtime pastor until his retirement in 2020. He was also the state chaplain for the Columbiettes.
A native of Wilmington, Father Flowers attended St. Elizabeth, Carrie Downey and Richardson Park schools before graduating from St. Elizabeth High School. He was ordained to the priesthood on Oct. 1, 1977, at St. Elizabeth. He was associate pastor at St. Hedwig and St. Catherine of Siena, both in Wilmington; and St. John the Baptist-Holy Angels, Newark.
He was named pastor of St. Hedwig in 1987, and five years later he was appointed to St. Joseph Parish in Middletown. He also was pastor of St. Polycarp Parish, Smyrna, and St. Jude the Apostle, Lewes, where he served from 2015 until his retirement.
In addition, Father Flowers served as chaplain to the Pulaski Legion and the Americans of Polish Descent Cultural Society. He was the liaison for Charismatic Renewal and a member of the Priests’ Continuing Education Committee, the Catholic Board of Education and the diocesan Pastoral Council.
Information about funeral services will follow.
