OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22610, 16 January 1939, Page 10

OBITUARY

VERY REV. FATHER P. J COONEY

The death occurred yesterday of the Very Rev. Father Patrick J. Cooney. Father Cooney, who was parish priest at Lyttelton for 38 years, had been in failing health for some time. On Thursday he suffered an acute attack and was brought into the Little Company of Mary Hospital. His death yesterday, however, was somewhat unexpected. Father Cooney, who was one of the best-known priests in the Dominion, will long be remembered as a man of scholarly attainments, an able speaker, and a controversialist. His familiar figure will be missed by the many friends he had made among followers of all denominations in Christchurch, as well as in Lyttelton, where he was highly esteemed.

Father Cooney was bom in Limerick city, Ireland, and pursued his ecclesiastical studies at the Gregorian University at Rome. At the conclusion of his studies he was ordained by the late Bishop Grimes, who invited him to take a post in New Zealand. After holding short ministries in Ashburton, Rangiora and Kumara, he was appointed to Lyttelton, the pastoral charge of which he retained until his death. He made two visits to Europe, in which .be included an. extensive tour of the Holy land. Father Cooney was a member of the Diocesan Council of Christchurch.

MR C. L. THOMSEN (FBZSS ASSOCIATION TKC.ECIKAK.I DANNEVIRKE, January 15. The death has occurred of Carl Ludwig Thomsen, aged 51. of the Dannevirke branch of the Wairarapa Co-operative Farmers’ Association. He was one of Dannevirke’s best-known citizens, a member pf the Chamber of Commerce and a prominent Mason. He was interested in sporting activities in the district. He is survived by a daughter and a son. His wife died seven years ago.