OBITUARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 6 August 1934, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR H. J. O’LEARY.

The death occurred at his home in Dixon Street, Masterton, yesterday morning, of Mr Humphrey John an old and highly respected of Masterton, after a long illDeceased was closely associated with the life of Masterton, having been connected "for a long period of years with many local institutions, for which he performed excellent service, always carrying out his duties in a most conscientious manner. Of a genial nature, and possessing a fund of natural humour he was popular, with all classes of the community, and he was always ready to help those in distress, having in a quiet manner accomplished much good in this direction. Straightforward in his conduct, his word was his bond, and he never shirked what he considered to bo his duty. The late Mr O’Leary, who was in his 81st year, was born near Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, and, in company with M number of other Irish immigrants, he arrived at Nelson in the sailing ship Ocean Mail in 1871. lie was then 18 years of age. From Nelson he went to Blenheim, where he was married. For a time he lived at Awatere, now Seddon, but in 1885, Avith his wife, the late Mr O’Leary came to Masterton, where he established a blacksmith business, later carrying it on in association with his son, Mr J. O’Leary. At the time of his death he had served for nearly 24 years consecutively on the Borough Council, and for a number of years had been its senior member. He gave extended and valuable service also on other public and semi-public bodies. At a birthday gathering, at which Mr 0 ’Leary was en-

tertained by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs T. Jordan) in 1931, Mr Jordan spoke of the guest of the day as one who had established a signal claim to the gratitude of tne community by the gratuitous service he had rendered it over a long term of years. An Irishman, the Mayor observed on the same occasion, was supposed to be fond of Ik trailing his coat for someone to tread M on it. He had seen no evidence of such disposition in Cr. O’Leary. . As a councillor he had lost none of his genW iality and humour. The services of Cr. *7 O’Leary had not been confined to the borough. He had had a son on either side in the North and South Rugby match, and one of them was subse-

quently captain of the New Zealand fifteen. One of Cr. O’Leary’s daughters had been a great, hockey player in this town, and another had become a leading swimmer of New Zealand. Cr. O’Leary had given one son to the church and another to the law. Adding his tribute on the same occasion, Mr W. H. Jackson said he had known Mr

O’Leary probably longer than most of those present, and had been intimately associated with him in different fields of labour. Cr. O’Leary had been a valued member of the Central School (foimci-

ly District High School) Committee for many years. They had been together on the Council when he (Mr Jackson) was Mayor, and had also been associated for many years as co-directors of a building society. “He is the same Humphrey O’Leary to-day as he was 43 .mfyears ago,” said Mr Jackson. ‘ I have

A; never known him to be other thair a genial, good-tempered man, ready to give his advice or his assistance, ana I am quite sure that this town owes him •a deep debt of gratitude. He is a man

#ivho never desires to push himseli to the front as leading dog, and is quite

content to do his bit in his own way, and he does it well.” Mr Jackson said he had had the pleasure of educating two of Mr O’Leary’s children One was now a brilliant lawyer and the other, a daughter, had attained distinction in the field of sport. The late Mr O’Leary was a foundation member and the first president of

the Blenheim Society in the year low, the Mastcrton branch of the Hibernian Society in the year 1888, and was tliesecond oldest member of the society in New Zealand. His Grace Archbishop Bedwood, is the oldest member,Joining touiyears before the late Mr 0 Leary. He always took a keen interest m friendly society work, and for a number of years was a member of the Wairarapa Friendly Societies’ Council. He was a foundation member and one of the first directors of the Workmen’s Friend Building

Society, and at the time of ,Ins dearn was still a member of the directorate. The late Mr O’Leary had been senioi trustee of the Hibernian Lodge since its inception. , . , . tTho late Mr O’Leary is survived bj a widow and a family of four sons and ' five daughters. The sons are Messis Sk I’Leary . (Tta.n.l, J-P

O’Leary (Mastcrton), H F. u reaiy (Wellington), and the Rev. Fatlici Mark O’Leary, a Marist Missioner rhe daughters are Mesdames T. Feteis .(Masterton), P. Barry (Foxton), A. Ascot (Wanganui), J. McKenna (Bun nythorpe), and J. Brophy (Palmers on North). A son, Mr P. O’Leary, and a daughter, Mrs P. Griffin, died some years ago. There are also a number of g 'at St. Patrick’s Clmrch yesterday, the Rev Father Harnett referred feelingly to the death of Mr O’Leary, and extended to Mrs 0 Leaiy and the members of the family the deepest sympathy of the pnests, congregation and parish m their bereave ment. With the passing of Mr O Leary, be said, a link was broken with the past of the parish. For nearly half a cen tury he had been actively and Keen y associated with the activities of the H narish and had given long and faithfu H service on the church committee and W in other directions. “As a man lives, aVioll lie die ” observed Father Har- . Slttho aMca that deatk held no Ljli tor Mr O’Leary, who, daring h. ■illness had received all the JICI P could give from his son, the Rev. SarS“Lar B y. It was an oM.aUon to all to see how strong was Mi 0 Leary a faith during hi 3 long and painfull ill ness He had been a model of patience and a model of courage, and had uttered neither whimper nor complaint. He felt that all would regret very deeply Mr O’Leary’s death and would join in expressing their heartfelt sympa iy the bereaved widow and family. The funeral will take place to-nio - row leaving St. Patrick’s Church foi EWerth Cemetery jdt«r k«,.Mass which will be celebrate L ?Sk by the Bcv. Father O’Leary,

of the Hibernian Society are requested to attend the funeial of S late Bro. H. J. O’Leary to-morrow (Tuesday), 7th August. requested to assemble at the Lodg Room at 8.45 a.m.