Father Thomas R. Axe, age 91, passed away October 4, 2025. Father Tom was ordained in 1960, serving in the priesthood for 65 years.

Tom entered St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati for high school and undergraduate studies, and studied theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, Norwood. Father Axe received a master's degree in history from Xavier University. He was ordained on May 28, 1960, by Archbishop Karl J. Alter for service to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Father Axe was appointed as assistant priest at several parishes (1960-1969): St. James Church, White Oak; St. Clare Parish, Cincinnati; St. Patrick Parish, Northside; and St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Monfort Heights. During his appointments as assistant, Fr. Tom was also appointed to teach at McAuley High School, Cincinnati (1962-1969).

The next year he was a graduate assistant at the Theological College, Washington, D.C. On his return to Cincinnati, Father Axe was appointed to the faculty at St. Gregory Seminary, training seminarians how to be ministers in the field. He was appointed administrator of St. Bernard and Mother of Christ, while continuing on the faculty at St. Gregory Seminary.

The next two years, Father Tom was co-pastor of St. Clare Parish, Cincinnati and became pastor of St. Raphael Parish, Springfield from 1977-1980.

On January 8, 1980, he was appointed as the first Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program and to the staff of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program. While Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, Father Axe served as the chaplain at the Convent of St. Ursula, McMillan St. For two years he also served masses at Assumption Parish, Walnut Hills and then two years at St. Mary Parish, Hyde Park.

Father Tom became the pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Cincinnati, from 1986-1994 and then was the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Cincinnati. Father Axe retired from active ministry on November 1, 2003. After his retirement, Father Tom served part time at Nativity Parish Pleasant Ridge, Cincinnati for five years.

At age 74 he made an agreement with the Sisters of Mercy that he would provide sacramental services at the St. Theresa Nursing Home in Mariemont, in exchange they would care for him for the rest of his life. Neither Father Tom or the Sisters of Mercy expected him to be serving them for 17 years. Even though the facility has changed hands three times, (now the Mariemont Care Center,) the contract has been honored. Fr. Tom not only had two weekly masses, anointed the sick, and provided funerals, he also cared for the staff, the residents, and outsiders, whose loved ones spent their final years at the Care Center.

Father Tom loved saying mass right up till the day he died. He was always a joy to speak with, and in one-on-one conversations, his words brought comfort to those in pain. He loved cooking, traveling, and playing Scrabble. One of his favorite places to go was Gatlinburg, TN.

He has selected to donate his body to science through the University of Cincinnati Medical School.

Father Axe was the beloved son of the late Raymond and Helen Axe and the cherished brother of Anna Mae (Richard) Daum. Fr. Tom was proud to be an uncle to Joseph (Renee) Daum, Robert (Michelle) Daum, James (Mary) Daum, Patricia (Rob) Cox and several great nieces and nephews. Dear friends are left to mourn his passing and remembering the love he bestowed upon them.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Father Tom Axe may be directed to The Mariemont Care Center, 7010 Rowan Hill Dr., Mariemont, OH 45227.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at Community of the Good Shepherd Church, 8815 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249; (513-489-8815). The closest doors are #2 and #3.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Community of the Good Shepherd Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer. Homilist: Reverend Michael J. Graham, SJ.

Reception will follow immediately following the Mass in the Community Room at Good Shepherd.