A Michigan Area Knight is stepping down after leading one of the Area’s signature ministries, devoting countless volunteer hours to that effort, as well as many other charitable activities.

Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, announced at the Area’s October 4 annual symposium that Thomas Larabell, KM, is concluding a five-year term of “tireless” and “transformative” service as president of the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic. See “Making the case for life: U.S. Supreme Court advocate presents ‘Beyond Dobbs’ at Michigan Area’s annual symposium.”  

At a November 9 “21st Birthday Party” for the Clinic, Tom credited the work of two other Michigan Area Knights, the late Louis Mahoney, KM and the late Gerard Peplowski, KM, who preceded Tom as Clinic president. He also praised Nancy Harmon RDH, the Clinic’s former dental director, for “taking the Clinic to a level we could only envision.” But most of all, Tom added that the digitus Dei – finger of God – was responsible for the Clinic’s success.

Founded in 2004 by Louis Mahoney, the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic provides free medical and dental care to the uninsured. Operating for many years out of the basement of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Detroit, the Clinic had to suspend operations in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Basement floods forced the Clinic to seek a new location.

Tom, who had served on the Clinic’s board since 2015, became president in 2020. Under his leadership, in 2021 the Clinic opened in the Center for the Works of Mercy, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of Southeast Michigan. In addition to hands-on work for the move, Tom helped raise funds for new, state-of-the-art medical and dental equipment. The Clinic also added vision services, including free glasses.

The Clinic quickly outgrew the new space, however, necessitating another move. Tom handled the many details of negotiating for a new space, moving the Clinic, and raising more funds for the expanded space. As a result, the Clinic has increased its treatment capacity by 30 percent.

Tom’s achievements include setting up an endowment fund for the Clinic through Catholic Foundation of Michigan. During his tenure, the Clinic’s work was recognized with many awards, including a 2024 Silver Award from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. In 2022, the Clinic was named “Outstanding Organization of the Year” by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan.

Tom, a native of Detroit, attended the University of Detroit, earning a degree in accounting and embarked on a career in public accounting, including 23 years as an audit partner with Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. He was a board or committee member of many community groups, including Metro Detroit YMCA, United Community Services, Project Transition, Kensington Academy, University of Detroit Alumni Association, and the University of Detroit Business School Advisory Committee – often serving as president or chair of these organizations.  At his home parish, St. Mary Catholic Church in Royal Oak, Tom has served as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, choir member, member of the pre-marital counseling program, chair of the parish administration committee, and business manager.

After his retirement, Tom’s activities included serving in various capacities at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy; the Rose Hill Center; Kensington Academy; St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in Detroit, and Michigan Area Order of Malta, of which he was chair from 2006 – 2012. He has helped many malades join pilgrimages to Lourdes with the Order of Malta. 

Tom’s selfless work has been widely recognized; he is the recipient of the University of Detroit’s Tower Award; the Metro Detroit YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year Award; and the Michigan Dental Association’s Public Service Award. In 2023, Tom and his wife Yvonne were honored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with the IHMs’ Theresa Maxis Award, recognizing the Larabells’ deep faith, pioneering spirit, service to the poor, and commitment to justice. In 2023, he was named “Alumnus of the Year” by the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.

At the Nov. 9 gathering, Tom announced that David Hocker, KM, will succeed him as Clinic president. David thanked Tom for his years of service, adding that, in honor of Tom and Yvonne, Clinic board members had made gifts totaling $1, 001 to the Clinic’s endowment fund.

David noted that, due to the Clinic’s success in serving the poor and sick, he and Clinic Medical Director Dr. Ed Jelonek, KM, gave a presentation on the Clinic during Investiture Weekend, Nov. 13-15 in New York City. He said other Areas are interested in learning about the Clinic as a model for similar ministries.

In addition to David Hocker and Dr. Jelonek, the Clinic’s board of directors includes Treasurer Michael Bonventre, KM; Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChM; Michigan Area Associate Vince Mastrangelo; Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM; and Dr. Catherine Stark, DM. Other board members are Secretary Tracy G. Smith, Esq; Sr. Mary Ellen Howard, RSM; Michael Masyln; and Dr. Charles Zammit, DDS.

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