William Thomas Larkin

William Thomas Larkin (March 31, 1923 – November 4, 2006) was the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Larkin was born in Mount Morris, New York, in 1923. He was ordained as a priest in 1947. He served as vicar general of the St. Petersburg diocese and was appointed by his former roommate Pope John Paul II in April 1979 as the second bishop of St. Petersburg.

During Larkin's tenure as bishop, the diocese added 15 new parishes, three new schools, and a radio station (WBVM 90.5 FM). He retired as bishop in November 1988 and died in November 2006.

Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey, Florida is named in his honor, as is the Bishop W. Thomas Larkin Pastoral Center, which includes the diocese's main offices.

References

• "W. Thomas Larkin (1923-2006)", Tampa Bay Times, November 5, 2006 (part 2)
• "Beloved Bishop's Life Was A Fanfare For Common Man", The Tampa Tribune, November 5, 2006 (part 2)
• "W. Thomas Larkin, bishop who tutored future pope", Sun-Sentinel, November 6, 2006
• "Growth of St. Petersburg diocese put heavy demands on Bishop Larkin", Tampa Bay Times, December 31, 1988 (part 2)
• "Larkin to retire as bishop of St. Petersburg diocese", The Tampa Tribune, November 30, 1988
• "Larkin Is Named Bishop of Diocese", The Tampa Tribune, April 26, 1979
• "Larkin named bishop-elect for St. Petersburg diocese", The Orlando Sentinel, April 25, 1979