LAST TRIBUTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 7

LAST TRIBUTES.

WORTHY CITIZEN.

MR. SHEAHAN'S FUNERAL.

LOYAI, SUPPORTER OF FAITH,

It was .1 fitting tribute to the memory of a loyal supporter of his faith, a worthy citizen and a true sportsman that euch a representative body of Aucklanders, despite the approach of the Christmas season, attended the Solemn Requiem Mass celebrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral at nine o'clock this morning for the repose of the soul of Mr. Michael Joseph Sheahn-i. Bishop Officiates. With solemnity the last rites of the Church he loved and followed so well all through his life were bestowed on a worthy son. The Cathedral was crowded. The Roman Catholic Bishop, Dr. J. M. Liston, presided, and was attended at the throne by the Very Rev. Moneignor Holbrook and Dr. C. Roberts, of Sydney. The celebrant of the Maes of Requiem was the Very Rev. Monsignor Ormond, with Dean Murphy ae deacon and the Rev. Father W. Flynn, sub-deacon. Dr. L. T. Buxton was master of ceremonies. The Absolutions were giveii by Bishop Licston at the catafalque. The music of the Mass was sung by a choir of priests under the Rev. Father Terry and Miss Ormond was at tlie organ. A large number of priests, Marist Brothers and members of other religious orders were also present. Prime Minister Attends. Those present in church included the Prime Minister, the Hon. M. J. Savage, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, the Hon. Eliot K. Davis and Hon. J. Trevithick, M.L.C.'s. Mr. W. .). Jordan, M.P., was also present. The City Council was represented by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, and Mr. A. Messer, city treasurer, the Auckland Transport Board by Mr. J. Sayegh and Mr. W. Maddigan. The Consular Corps, of which Mr. Sheahan, as honorary consular agent for Italy, was a member, was represented by Mr. Walter Boyle and Mr. Bachelder (United States), Mr. A. M. Ferguson (Belgium), M. Edouard Joubert (France). Mr. J. M. Wilson (Chile), Mr. Norman E. Heath (Latvia), Senor Quiros y Quiros (Panama), Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell (Sweden). Mr. A. C. Blau (Switzerland), Mr. F. S. Battley (Argentine) and Mr. C. M. Croft, Canadian Trade Commissioner. Signors G. Nigro, president, and A. Campi, secretary of the Italian Club, represented the Auckland Italian community. The Auckland Rugby Union, with which the late Mr. Sheahan was so long connected, was represented by Mr. Harry Frost, president, Mr. S. J. Ohlson, vice-president, Mr. J. Arneil, vice-patron, Mr. A. Baker, chairman, Mr. A. Tilley and Mr. George Nicholson, a 1905 All Black, of the management committee, Mr. N. E. Jones, ex-chairman, and by Mr. T. W. Maben, secretary of the Auckland Rugby Football Union. Mr. C. Grey Campbell, chairman, was present on behalf of the Auckland Rug.by League. The Auckland Cricket Association, another sports body to which Mr. Sheahan belonged and which ho assisted in his lifetime, was represented by Mr. J. H. Watts, treasurer, the Eden Park Board of Control having as its representative!! Messrs. C. Hay and D. Hay. Wearing their repalia, Messrs. F. G. J. Temm, J. Best. T. P. Leigh and G. Barber occupied a prominent position in the cathedral,, representing the Hibernian Society, while Mr. M. Kelly represented the St. Vincent do Paul Society.

A representative Call olic In'ty was headed h v Mr. J. J. Sullivan. Mr. L. J. Cnaklcy, "Messrs. A. B. Wrirrht. Hugh Wright, K. Wrieht and W. H. Wnght. "So Much a Man." In a brief address Bishop Liston said that within a comparatively short time death hail been in their midst and hail taken away three worthy citizens and tiie noblest of men —the late Mr. J. J. O'Brien, the late Mr. Daniel Flynn. and now Mr. .Michael Joseph Sheaban. From boyhood imtil old age they had all been united in the closest friendship. The sumo Christian faith guided them in life; a life of good deeds, and not for themselves but for others, right from the anciont land of their race to thf> land of their predilections.

"Wliile the deatn of Mr. Sheahnn i« a sad bereavement, it conveys a lesson that only the death of such a good man can teach," added Bishop Liston. "Here is a man who worshipped God and wh<. served his fellow men—the true ideal of man's life. It is only such a man who fears God and lives his life accordiiif to God's commandments wh<realises Ifte problems of life on tin s earth. Loyal to his ideals, lie did his duty 9 served his fellow men, and lie lia? left behind liim good deeds innumerable. I-Ie was fully awake to opportunities i>' [a worldly way, and ho was successful 'in his business. He also loved the great outdoor games. Running right through his life like a river of gold was his devotion to and l.is reverence of God His mind opened quickly to the lealiut* !of the spiritual world. At his «wthet * knee he learned a two-fokl loyalty fo his native land and even more for the Church to which he gave Inlife unswerving love and devotion. "As Michael Joseph Sheahan was a mart of God, he was so much a man. That is why his memory is this morning commemorated by the representatives of the highest authority in the land and in the city, bv the Prime Minister his Worship the Mayor and ° s o 7t s ' including the representatiy es of sports bodies. He has done lif<e s work well, faced his duties courageously and was alwavs faithful to the Inmost ia.sals of citizenship. Farewell in his case is but a figure of speech. 'He that believe in Me "shall never die,' so whilst we pray that God will give him rest, we ha e every that it will be so. He has lived with God all through his life. We may take a lesson that such a life will convey. He was not content with the toys of life, but with the great realities of life, our own immortal soul, its dignity and destiny, our neighbours its cn.II v God nfc to thie and oin duty. * y m npace faithful soul rest and light and peace forever." Prime Minister's Message. The following telegram was yesterreceived by Mrs. Reuben O Brien, ' ithe late Mr. Shealian's only daughter, ' from the Prime Minister, the Hon. 1 T Sav 'ef "I heard with very deep 1 regret of the death of your father and : I tender heartfelt sympathy in your 1 bereavement. By the passing of the late - Air Sh(;ahan, Auckland city in " jar has lost one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens. We «ay a man has "gone to the dogs becausc; in the East, social outcasts arc often worried by dogs in the streets 1 night. . j a