OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1913, Page 36

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN CAGNEY, OAMARU. i (From our own correspondent.) It is my sad duty to chronicle another loss to the Catholic community of Oamaru, in the person of Mr. John Cagney, who passed peacefully away, fortified by the rites of the Church, at his residence, Thames street, on Sunday at the age of 74. His death, following so closely on the late Sergeant O'Grady's, is a sad coincidence, both gentlemen being closely associated in Catholic affairs in the parish. They were the only two of the older parishioners' who took a practical interest in the Young Men's Club, each filling the office of president in turn. Mr. Cagney was an ideal chairman, and, being a typical Irish humorist, never failed to smooth over any friction that might arise in debate. Of him it can truly be said -that he made hosts of friends by his kindly and genial disposition, but never an enemy. The deceased gentleman was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and as a young man migrated to America, where he spent some time before returning to his native land. But the roaming spirit was in him, and he turned to the Southern Hemisphere. After a short sojourn in Australia, he came to New Zealand, making Oamaru his home. Here he was for some years in the employ of the Hon. M. Holmes, at Awamoa, but about forty years ago he bought from Mr. D. Toohey a fancy goods business. This he extended and amplified as years went by, and continued

to conduct until quite recently, when he sold it to his son and retired from business. . Mr. Cagney, concurrently with his town business, also * engaged in farming, having acquired about 700 acres at Hilderthorpe, about twenty years ago. He was a director of the North Otago Dairy Factory Company, whose factory was at Pukeuri, and for some time occupied the position of chairman of directors. Mr. Cagney was a man of energy, who took an active interest in public affairs, and never an election to Parliament took place for a great many years without his taking a keenly active share in determining the result. He was also a live citizen in connection with local affairs, and in December, 1895, he was elected unopposed as one of the Borough Councillors for Thames Ward, filling the vacancy occasioned by the election of the late Mr. Henry Aitken as Mayor. At succeeding elections Mr. Cagney received renewals of the confidence of the ratepayers, and held a seat at the council table until April, 1903, when he retired voluntarily. Mr. Cagney was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and could always be relied upon for duty in that capacity. He also took an interest in athletic sports, and was always found in attendance at the gatherings of both the Caledonian Society and the Hibernian Society. Mr. Cagney was married early in 1875 to Miss Hannah O'Brien, and leaves a widow and four sons and three daughters to mourn their loss A Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Basilica this .Tuesday) morning, and the funeral left the church at 2 o clock, followed by a large and representative gathering of citizens and residents of the surrounding districts who had come to pay their last mark of respect to their inend of nearly half a century.—R.l.P.