OBITUARY.

Lake County Press, Issue 2138, 4 October 1906, Page 5

OBITUARY.

The Rev. Father Ryan, who had beon in ill-health for some few years, passed away at Queenstown yesterday morning. Ho was born in Roscrea, Tipperary, Ireland, 37 years ago. He studied the languages and philosophy at Mt. Melleray Seminary, where he lived for four years. Father O'Donnell, of Queenstown, and the late rev. gentleman met therein September, 18S4. Having finished his studies at Mt. Melleray, Father Ryan entered the Ecclesiastical Catholic College of Carlow in 1888, and after a brilliant college course, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dunedin in 1892. He arrived in the colony the same year, and was appointed by the late Dr Moran curate to the Milton parish, where he worked most zealously for four years. The present bishop, Dr Vordon, appointed him assistant to the Rev. Father Murphy, who was Administrator of St. Joseph's Cathedral. When the Holy Cross Collego was founded in Mosgiel in I'JOO, Bishop Verdon ohose Father Ryan rector. Father Ryan left Dunedin in 1901 for a visit to his native land. He ro turned to New Zealand in the following ytar. On board tho ship by which ha returned, (her*' was a fellow-priest who was for most of the voyage in a dying state. Father Ryan was unremitting in his atientions to the sufferer, with the result that he caught a bad cold, which eventually ended in consumption. Soon after his return to tho colony he came is Queenstown and seemed to rally considerably. Dr Douglas had charge of him and did all that could bo done to restore him After staying three or four months with Father O'Donnell, ho went to Cromwell and Beemed to improve steadily for some timo, so muoh so that he was appointed to the charge Of the Cromwoll mission somo three years ago. About fourtoen months ago tho disease began to bo mo'o pronounced, and Father Ryan went to the Dunedin Sanatorium. After seven months he again came back to the Wakatipu and had lived with Father O'Donneil since. Dr Douglas was constant in his attendance, anl did evorytiiing to alleviate tho sufferings of his patient. He bore h!s sickness with the greatest resignation and passed calmly away at GBO yestorday morning. His old and valued friend, Father Murphy, of Riverton, was present with Father O'Donnell at his death-bed. He was a man of considerable culture, and commanded the respect of all with whom ho came in contact. He was a universal favorite with his fellowpriests, and was universally loved by the various congregations unto whom ho ministered. The news of hia death will cause grief to many in Otago. We tender our deepest sympathy to his many friends in the sad loss they have sustained.