Rev. Thomas Anthony Flowers

The Reverend Thomas Anthony Flowers (Kwiatkowski), age 73, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away on April 17, 2024.

Thomas Flowers was born in Wilmington, Delaware on January 2, 1951, son of Anthony T. and Emily M. (Kowalski) Flowers. He received his early education at St. Elizabeth, Carrie Downie, and Richardson Park elementary schools and at St. Elizabeth High School, Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the University of Delaware and began studies for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland. After completion of theological studies, he was ordained a Catholic Priest at St. Elizabeth Church, Wilmington, Delaware, on October 1, 1977.

He was first assigned as associate pastor to St. Hedwig Church, Wilmington, Delaware. In 1979, he was transferred as associate pastor to St. John the Baptist–Holy Angels Parish, Newark, Delaware. In 1983, he became associate pastor to St. Catherine of Siena Church, Wilmington, Delaware. In 1987, he was appointed pastor to St. Hedwig Church, Wilmington, Delaware. In 1992, he was transferred as pastor to St. Joseph Church, Middletown, Delaware. In 2002, he was appointed pastor of St. Polycarp Parish, Smyrna, Delaware. In 2015, he was transferred as pastor to St. Jude the Apostle Church, Lewes, Delaware, where he served until his retirement in 2020.

During his 47 years of priestly ministry, he served as chaplain to the Pulaski Legion, the Americans of Polish Descent Cultural Society, the Charismatic Renewal, and the Delaware Columbiettes and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his uncle, Stanley Kay; his nephew, Thomas Barnhart; as well as several cousins, and members of his extended family.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 6:30pm on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00pm on Friday, April 26, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets, Wilmington, DE 19805, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10:00am. Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Flowers’ memory can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o St. Jude the Apostle Parish at the address listed above.

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