From Leatherneck to Roman Collar

About the Book

A career in the U.S. Marine Corps and ordination to the Catholic priesthood are commitments to service, but it is rare one would not only have both these callings and be a widower and father as well. Timothy M. Gahan is such a man. Raised in a large Irish Catholic military family, he served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter machine gunner and was later commissioned in the Corps. Leatherneck to Roman Collar describes the unusual life and times of a 27-year USMC veteran and family man who became a parish priest as told by one of his sisters. It is a compelling story of meeting challenges, devotion, overcoming obstacles, sacrifice, happiness and love of country, family and God.

About the Author

Colleen McFall, grew up in a military family, one of nine children, in which duty to God, family and country were cornerstones of family life. She has seen her older brother, Tim, live an interesting and challenging life of service to all three. As a high school sophomore Colleen remembers praying for her brother while he served in the Marine Corps as a helicopter machine gunner in Vietnam, and during the many years thereafter when he was deployed elsewhere in Asia, to the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. She has been witness to the role faith has played in his life as a Marine, husband, father and Roman Catholic priest. Colleen is a Registered Nurse and enjoys living on a small spread in East Texas with her husband, Terry, especially when their five children and 13 grandchildren visit.