DEATH OF THE REV. FATHER ECUYER, S. M.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 26, 26 October 1883, Page 3

DEATH OF THE REV. FATHER ECUYER, S. M.

(Sydney Kqwess, October 13)

Again it is our painful duty to have to cbrotricle tha death of an* other much-respected and pious missionary, and one who, during fhe short time he bad been U our midst, secured for himself the love and esteem, not only of his brother clergy, but of all those with whom he was associated. We refer to the Rev. Father Ecuyer, S.M., whose death took place at a quarter to 10 o'clock on Sunday morning last at Villa Maria. Father Ecuyer was born in the diocese of Belley, * ranee, in the year 1819, and was therefore at the time of his death 64 years of age. Immediately after his religious profession he was sent by his superiors to St. Ann's, Spittalfield, London, where he laboured with remarkable zeal and energy for upwards of 17 yeara. It may here be mentioned that St. Ann's was also the scene of the late lamented Father Heuze's labours, and here it was that for over 12 months both the deceased clergymen worked and toiled together as earnest, faithful, and zealous priests in propagating the Holy Faith and in ministering to the wants of those over whom thej were placed. The Rev. Father Ecuyer was one of the first of the French missionaries who were sent to New Zealand, and for several years we find him working in the interest of his flock at Christchurcb, from which mission he was transferred to Greymouth, the sceue of his final labours in New Zealand. Here the good father's health began to fail him, and being recommended by his medical advisers to make a trip to Sydney, be arrived here about two years ago completely broken down in health from his continuous labours. The change of air however, soon restored him to health, but instead of giving himself up to complete rest after his \ tiresome labours, we find him working with his wonted vigour in the various distiicts of the Archdiocese. •He replaced the Rev. Father Garavel at Pyrmont during that gentleman s trip to New Zealand to recruit his health, and also the Rev. Father Riordan at Kiama, when the latter accompanied the late Archbishop on his visitation tour in the southern districts. Latterly he had been residing at Villa Maria, and was in the enjoyment of excellent health. On the Thursday previous to his death, however he fell suddenly ill and lingered in perfect conciousness up to the hoar of his dissolution. His demise will no doubt be keenly felt by the people of Christchurch and Greymouth, to whom he was greatly attached, as it will be deeply regretted by those who, during his stay in Sydney, had cultivated an acquaintance with him. His funeral obsequies took place at Villa Maria at 10 o'clock on Monday morning last, when a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Muraire, S.ftf., the Rev. Fathers Tresallet, 8.M., and Piquet, S. M., acting as deacon and subdeacon respectively. There were also present at the ceremony the Very Rev. Father Van ghan, C.SS.R., the Very Rev. Father Navarre, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Melanesia, the Very Rev. Father Le Rennetel, S.M., and the Rev. Fathera Cove, S.M., Chataigner, 8.M., (parish priest of St. Michael's) Ginisty, S.M"., Hillereau, S.M.. and Lannuzel. At the conclusion of the Mass the Absolution was pronounced by the very rev. the officiating clergyman, and shortly afterwards the funeral cortege started for the cemetery at Ryde, where the remains of the deceased were interred in the presence of a large number of his brother priests, several Marist Brothers, and a number of the pupils from St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Kill— Requiescat in pace.