DEATH OF MR PETER O'REILLY, THAMES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 8, 9 December 1892, Page 15

DEATH OF MR PETER O'REILLY, THAMES

It becomes our painful task to record the demise of Mr Peter O'Beilly, the beloved parent of Father O'Beilly, P.P. of the Thames. After an illness of three months' duration, which he bore with exemplary patience, and fortified by all the rites of holy Church, deceased passed calmly to his reward on 30th November, St Andrew's Day. Born June 28, 1803, in the historic town of Bosscarbery, South Cork, Mr O'Beilly had entered upon the patriarchal age of 90 years. He loved to tell how, in his boyhood, he had the happiness to know the saintly Father John Power, P.P. of Kilmeen, and at whose grave he often prayed ; how he witnessed the tbrong of pilgrims coming from all quarters to seek his advice when living and to invoke bis intercession after death, and he remembered how it was believed that the saintly priest read the consciences of pilgrims and wrought miracles in their behalf. Mr O'Reilly narrated with surprising memory events bordering on a century old. In 1852 Mr O'Beilly, with his wife and young family, left his native Boss;. for New Zealand, the]Foley family of Onehunga'being fellow-passengers. Father O'Beilly of the Thames was then in his 9th year, just old enough toiremember;his native town and country. During many subsequent years deceased .rtsided 1 at Otahuhu, until Dr Oroke, in 1871, gave the young priest, his son, charge of Coromandel district ; but from thatjyear till thelhour of bisjpeaceful death he lived with Father O'Beilly. It is not too much to assert that the green shores of holy Ireland ;never t sent| forth a truer son or a more faithful Catholic than the steilingjman whose|end we announce. Up to his last illness he attended daily Mass, frequented the sacraments, recited the rosary, andjin all things gave splendid edification. Strictly punctual and «xact in the whole routine of life, he enjoyed the reward of long and happy years, and, finally, met death with all the peacefulness and security of the good and faithful eervant. It may be mentioned that the youngest brother of deceased, Mr Patrick O'Beilly, died at Clonghjordan, North Tipperary, a few years ago, at the ripe age of 81 years.

The usual watchjwas kept during Wednesday night, and on Thursday morning a large congregation was present at the Requiem Macs, celebrated by Father O'Reilly. In the afternoon a splendid funeral possession attended the remains to the Thames Wharf. On arrival of the s.s. Botomahana at the Auckland Wharf Mr Little was in readiness with hearse and mourners to nonvey tbe corpse to St Patrick's Cathedral, where it remained over-night. Next morning several Requiem Masses were said, pregente oodavere, the Bishop assistirg at Father O'Beilly's-the last. Monsignor Paul, V.G., Dr Egan, Fathers Lenihan, Mahoney, Golden, Bgan, Gillan, and Doyle were aleo present. His Lordship Dr Lack, 0.5.8., gave the solemn absolution, Fathers Golden and Egan being deacon and subdeacon respectively. The Sisters of Mercy and the pupils of St Patrick's schools occupied the front seats, while in the back was a large number of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Auckland, the Thames, Coromandel, Otahubu, and Onehunga being also represented. Amongst others we noticed Sir Maurice O'Borke, and Messrs Canning, Darby, Sullivan, Mahony, Brophy, Toohill, Foy, O'Beilly, Dignan, Handley, and several other leading citizens. Monsignor McDonald, of Panmure, who conld not be in time for Mass, joined the procession as it wended its way through the city, and Father O'Hara, with bis altar boys and congregation, was in readiness at his chnrcb, Otahnhu. When the funeral arrived at the Otabuhu Catholic Cemetery, the family burying-place, Father O'Reilly officiated at the grave, surrounded and assisted by a large body of his brother priests. The coffin, covered with beautiful floral crosses, was placed side by side with the remainß of Mrs O'Reilly— reposing there for many years. On the 2nd of December, 1892, were laid to rest at Otahuhu the mortal remains of a sterling Irishman a devoted husband and parent, a faithful friend, an uncompromising catholic, and the parent of an excellent and successful priest. Beautitill the life and happy the end of such men I— R.I.P.