PRIEST’S DEATH

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 46, Issue 3457, 18 March 1936, Page 4

PRIEST’S DEATH

REV. FATHER F. J. DIGNAN RECTOR AT THAMES POPULAR AND BELOVED PASTOR The death occurred in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Auckland, about 10.30 yesterday morning of the Rev. Father Ferdinand Joseph Dignan, parish priest of St. Francis’, Thames, after several weeks’ illness. Father Dignan suffered severely from pneumonia and although it was known that he was seriously ill, news of his death came as a shock to all who knew him. Father Dignan was born in the parish of Dysart, County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1880. He received his early education at the local school and later at Dunedin Seminary Summer Hill college, Sligo, where for many years he studied classics. A fellowpupil of Father Dignan’s was the celebrated Irish tenor, John McCormack. Father Dignan was ordained at St. Patrick’s Ecclesiastical college, Carlow, in 1904 by the late Most Rev. Bishop Foley, D.D., and soon afterwards was sent out to the Auckland diocese. Here he saw service as curate at St. Benedict’s and later at Gisborne. In 1912 Father Dignan became administrator to the - late Monsignor O’Reilly at Thames, and upon the latter’s death was appointed parish priest, and in 1916, Irremoveable Rector. The parish extends as close to Paeroa as Hikutaia, and includes a large portion of the Hauraki Plains, deceased being a well-known and highly--1 respected figure throughout the whole district. He celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination on June 12, 1929, 'when he was the recipient of many presentations. Father Dignan was a priest who loved and lived in his faith, endearing I himself to all his parishioners. He T was highly-esteemed by and very I popular with all with whom he came in contact, and his death will be wide--3 ly regretted. 5 The funeralwas held at the Totara 3 cemetery, Thames, this morning, fol- . lowing the celebration of Solemn Rer quiem Mass at St. Francis Church, } Thames, by His Lordship Bishop J. _ M. Liston, D.D.