Obituary: Msgr. Tom Hartman, Co-Host of 'God-Squad', Dies at 69

Msgr. Thomas J. Hartman, a priest with the Diocese of Rockville Centre and a Nassau County Police Department chaplain, known for his popular television show, “God Squad,” died late Tuesday night of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 69.

Hartman was born on May 22, 1946 in Jamaica.

He was ordained on May 29, 1971 at St. Agnes in Rockville Centre and held an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a graduate degree in Theology.

In 1970, he received a master of divinity degree from Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany and a doctor of ministry degree from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in 1979.

Hartman served as the director of Radio and Television at Telecare, the television center for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

For over 25 years he starred in “God Squad,” which he co-hosted with Rabbi Marc Gellman.

He also appeared frequently as a commentator on such programs as “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer” on CNN and “The O’Reilly Factor” and “Neil Cavuto” on the Fox News Channel and the nationally syndicated “Imus in the Morning” radio show.

Hartman also had his own productions for Long Island on Telecare (Cablevision-Channel 29).

“[Hartman] served this Church and all of Long Island and beyond through Telecare, the Diocesan television channel which he made into a nationally recognized leader in Catholic television,” Rev. William Murphy, Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, said in a press release. “He touched many lives, healed many hearts and used his considerable gifts to bring people to a deeper sense of God in their lives.”

As an author, Hartman wrote Just a Moment – Life Matters with Father Tom and The Matter of Life and Death.

He also co-authored four books with Rabbi Gellman for both children and adults, titled Where Does God Live?, which won the 1991 Christopher Award, Lost and Found, Bad Stuff in the News and How Do you Spell God? (with a forward by the Dalai Lama).

How Do you Spell God? was made into an HBO animated special which won the George Foster Peabody Award.

Their most recent book is Religion for Dummies.

The duo also wrote a weekly column for Tribune Media, which is syndicated in various newspapers around the country.

Hartman was recognized for his professional and pastoral work by winning four Emmy Awards, a Telly Award, and numerous “Man of the Year” citations, and honorary doctorates, including a doctor of humane letters from Hofstra University in May 2001.

In addition, Hartman worked for over 18 years as the Nassau County Police Department’s chaplain.

“Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter and all of the members of the Nassau County Police Department would like to express their deepest sympathy and sadness on the passing of Monsignor Thomas J. Hartman,” the department said in a statement. ”Father Tom has always been regarded as a great friend to all and will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Monsignors’ family and the entire Dioceses of Rockville Centre.”

He retired in 2009 after was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003.

“These past years he has lived a long Calvary because of Parkinson’s disease which over time left him bed ridden,” Murphy wrote. “Through it all even to these last days, he remained serene because his trust was always in the Lord who loved him and now welcomes him into his eternal home.”

A wake will take place at Saint Aidan’s Church on 505 Willis Avenue in Williston Park on Friday, February 19 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a Mass of Transferral to follow starting at 7:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will take place at the on Saturday, February 20, starting at 11 a.m.