Rev. Thomas Cajetan Tallarida, C.S.C., 89, died at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 5, 2013) at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1923, in Rochester, N.Y., to Giovanni and Tomasina (Maroca) Tallarida.
Fr. Tallarida graduated from Aquinas Institute in 1942. He was received into the Congregation of Holy Cross on Aug. 15, 1943, and made his First Profession of Vows on Sept. 3, 1944. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1947. Fr. Tallarida made his Final Profession of Vows on Sept. 4, 1947, and continued his studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., from 1947 to 1951. He earned a master’s in history from Notre Dame in 1956. Fr. Tallarida was Ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1951. His first assignment was to Columbia Prep in Portland, Ore., where he taught and was a Prefect. He assisted at Holy Cross Parish in South Bend from 1954 to 1955. In 1955, Fr. Tallarida was among the first Holy Cross religious assigned to teach at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, Ill. He remained there until 1968. After two years at University of Ottawa in Canada, where he received a master’s in religious studies, Fr. Tallarida was assigned to Notre Dame as Rector of Zahm Hall for 10 years, and eventually served as Director of Off-Campus Housing and then Director of the Foreign Students Program. In 1980, he became Assistant Superior at Moreau Seminary and in 1984, returned to Notre Dame High School as Superior. From 1987-88, Fr. Tallarida directed the Old College Undergraduate Seminary Program at Notre Dame. He assisted at St. Raphael Parish in San Rafael, Calif., from 1988 until 1993, when he moved to Corby Hall at Notre Dame. During the summers, Fr. Tallarida assisted at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Novato, Calif. He moved to Holy Cross House in 2011.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank; and his two sisters, Mrs. Rose Quadrini and Mrs. Fannie Bevilacqua. Fr. Tallarida is survived by his brother, Victor (Rose) Tallarida; sister-in-law Connie Tallarida, wife of his brother Frank; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Visitation will be from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 10, 2013) at Moreau Seminary, where there will be a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 11, 2013) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
