Thomaz Alfonso DaGroomes, 76, of Irving, Tex., passed away suddenly June 19th at Zale Lipshy Hospital, Dallas, after a lengthy illness. Born in Boston, Mass., on Feb. 2, 1941, the son of George and Esther DaGroomes, he came to the University of Dallas, Irving, in 1966 after undergraduate studies at the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain, a city in which he wrote a bullfighting column for a local newspaper. His graduate studies at UD were in politics and philosophy; he also taught Spanish there. After graduate school, he taught philosophy at the then-University of Plano and worked for Southland Corp. and in the International Division of National Chemsearch, the latter sending him to Sorocaba, Brazil, as data processing manager. He loved soccer, music, organic gardening, and cooking; and many were the folks treated to his annual Carnival Brazilian feijoada feast, prepared on the Saturday before Mardi Gras. A longtime member of St. Luke Church, Irving, Thomaz was a dedicated Catholic who loved the church intensely and always supported, defended, and explained her. Later in life, he enjoyed his Aqua class and loyal band of aquarobics classmates at LA Fitness, Las Colinas. Of late, he was at Avante Rehab Center, Irving, benefitting from everyones special care for him, especially that of his faithful nursing assistants, nurses, PTs, hospitalist, and advocates Donny Wood and Marlene McDargh. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, extended family, and dear friends. The family will greet friends just prior to a 7:30 p.m. rosary, Thursday, June 22, at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W. Airport Frwy., Irving. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, June 23, in the North Chapel at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, followed by a reception and entombment. Main celebrant of the Mass will be Fr. James Lehrberger, O.Cist.; concelebrating will be Fr. Robert Maguire, O.Cist., homilist. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mater Dei Parish Building Fund, 2030 E. Hwy. 356, Irving, TX 75060, 972-438-7600, www.materdeiparish.com. SERVICES Rosary

Thursday, June 22, 2017 7:30 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062

Funeral Service

Friday, June 23, 2017 10:00 AM

North Chapel at Calvary Hill Cemetery 3235 Lombardy Lane Dallas, Texas 75220