Homeless but never without a home - Man honored by hundreds of mourners at funeral

'The meaning of being homeless beyond shelter is when you lack a home, lack a family who understands you.'

Hundreds came together at a San Francisco church to honor the passing of a beloved parishioner.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Thomas Myron Hooker was homeless the last twenty years of his life.

He attended the Star of the Sea Catholic Church, where he could be seen praying in one of the back pews for a short time each day.

When not at church, Thomas could be spotted roaming the streets with a shopping cart or standing at a corner near a Walgreen's talking to himself.

Thomas was one of three people profiled in the documentary "Voices," which focuses on mental illness.

Though he suffered, many in the community recognized Thomas for what he was: A man.

"The meaning of being homeless beyond shelter is when you lack a home, lack a family who understands you," Father Illo of the Star of the Sea Church explained during Thomas' funeral Mass.

"Many of us who live in more comfort are more homeless than Thomas was. He had a home with us....[Thomas was] a kind of patron saint of the homeless."

Fr. Illo continued, explaining Thomas had "overcome his homelessness" with kindness and faith.

"This was a man who never asked for anything," Lea Grey Dimond, the owner of a book store, explained to Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.

In a testament to Thomas' genuine kindness, a trailer for "Voices" shows him grinning before he says, "I suffer a lot, you know, and when you suffer, you must know to be kind."

Hundreds attended Thomas' funeral Mass and reception. McAvoy O'Hara & Evergreen Mortuary donated a casket and prepared Thomas' body for burial.

A special collection was taken during the funeral Mass so Hooker could get a headstone at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

During the reception, which was held in a school gymnasium after the funeral Mass, the community spent time sharing memories of Thomas.

One speaker said: "Thomas had a gift for loving generously and unconditionally. He brought out community something rare and special."

Another speaker wept as he explained he was emotional due to the overflowing crowd who appeared to honor Thomas, leading to the audience to cry as well.

The tears were quickly replaced with laughter as the speaker admitted he often gave "money to Thomas instead of the church."

No information on how Thomas died has been released but Star of the Sea parishioners Arnold and Jean Low, who habitually delivered Thomas food for over two decades, discovered him unresponsive the day of his death.

It was Fr. Illo who was sent to identify his body.

Arnold spoke at the funeral reception to say: "Thomas was a kind and friendly soul, always had a smile on his face, always had something complimentary to say to you. There are other homeless souls for you to reach out to."

Low then asked parishioners to remember: "When I am thirsty, you gave me to drink, when I was hungry, you gave me to eat, when I was cold you gave me clothes. Whatever you do for others, you do for me your Lord our God."

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