OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6, 6 February 1908, Page 19

OBITUARY

-MR OWEN M'ARDLEp WELLINGTON. (From our own correspondent.)

A painful surprise was caused in the city this (Saturday) morning when news came from Masterton of the' somewhat sudden death there of Mr Owen M'Ardle, well - known in Catholic and commercial circles here. On Thursday" the deceased left the city for Masterton on a business 'visit. Yesterday, while inspecting a new hotel; he was seized by a apoplectic- fit, and died at 8 -o'clock this morning. The deceased, who was about 54 ' years- of age, ,was born in County Monaghan, and came out > to* New Zealand when he was about 20 years old. He made his way to the West Coast, where- he entered tlie service of his cousins, the Messrs Gilmer/who were the owners of leading hotels in that part of the' country. - Subsequently he became licensee of the Melbourne Hotel, Charleston, in which town he married. After filling various positions in Westland, he went to Wanganui, and was connected with the Brunner Coal Company's coal depot there during the time* Mr Martin Kennedy was at the head of affairs. Eemovirig to Wellington, • he became manager of the Junction Brewery on tne Thqrndon Esplanade. When the amalgamation of that business" with J. Staples and Co. took glace in 1889, . Mr M'Ardle was appointed secretary of the new company,' and he retained the position up to the" time of his death. He held an interest in the" Staples' Brewery, and was a large shareholder in the Bank of New Zealand. About two years ago Mr M'Ardle was seriously ill with .heart trouble. - He afterwards made a trip to Australia for the benefit of his health, and returned . much benefited by the change" and rest. About a year ago he and Mrs M'Ardle went to Great Britain, Europe, and America, and' returned two months ago. The deceased has left a family of three sons- and two daughters. Mr Eugene M'Ardle, the eldest son, accompanied his parents to America, and is now studying dentistry in Philadelphia. The other- sons returned in December from the Riyerview Catholic College, Sydney. The deceased will be sorely missed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Catholic charity has lost a generous benefactor whose place it will be hard to fill. In the midst of a sorrow so«great the" bereaved ones have the consolation of knowing" that he who has 'passed away lived as a faithful son, of; the Church, and .that his coreligionists, mindful of the part .he played^ will - remember him in their prayers. Kequiem Mass is to b© celebrated on Monday at the Sacred Heart Basilica; whence the funeral procession will start. — 8.1.P.