Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 19 October 1922, Page 45

Obituary

MRS. JOHANNA O’BRIEN, GORE. The death recently of Mrs. Johanna O’Brien now leaves less than half a dozen of the original pioneers of Gore (says the Mataura, Ensign). The late Mrs. O’Brien arrived at the Bluff with her husband and one son in the ship Kerry, Castle in 1876. They worked for some time at Reaby, and early in 1877 they took up a 10-acre section at Gore. Prior to that they resided in a small house in Ashton Street, near the present site of Kemp’s cordial factory. During her long residence at Gore Mrs. O’Brien had seen many changes, and the ups and downs of colonial life. An hour’s chat with her on the early days of Gore and its pioneer residents was always most pleasant. She was a fine neighbor, ever anxious to do good and help those in sickness or trouble. Through her passing away many of the older residents feel that 'they have lost a kind friend and a good citizen. The late Mrs. O’Brien was predeceased by her husband a little over three years ago, and she leaves two sons, John and Daniel, and two daughters, Mrs. J. Brennan and Miss O’Brien, to mourn their loss. The deceased was an exemplary Catholic, and passed away fortified by all the rites of Holy Church. Although confined to her home during the past twelve months she was able to get about until three weeks before she passed away. She received the devoted ministrations of Rev. Father Kaveney, the Sisters of Mercy being also most attentive to her. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of deceased was celebrated at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament by Father Kaveney, who also officiated at the interment in the Gore cemetery. The funeral was very largely attended. —R.I.P. MR. JOHN HANRAHAN, ASHBURTON. There passed away recently at^the residence of his brother (Mr. P. Hanrahan, Cameron Street, Ashburton), Mr. John Hanrahan, an old resident of the Ashburton district. Born at the Rower, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, 73 years ago, the late Mr. Hanrahan came to New Zealand in 1874 and resided constantly with his brother, most of the time being spent in farming pursuits on the latter’s farm at Dromore. Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated in the Church of the Holy Name by Rev. Father J. Hanrahan (Darfield), assisted by Rev, Father T. Hanrahan, Adm. (Christchurch Cathedral), nephews of the deceased, and Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell, pastor of Ashburton. The funeral was largely attended. Rev. Father J. Hanrahan officiated at the graveside, assisted by Dean O’Donnell and Father T. Hanrahan. — R.I.P. ; MR. J. O’ROURKE, TIMARU. Business people in Timaru received a shock yesterday afternoon (says the Timaru . Herald for October 4) when they learned that one. of their number — J. O’Rourke • —had passed away with tragic suddenness, in his shop at Pareora Buildings. The deceased was of a quiet, kindly, happy disposition—the kind of man who never made an enemy. He had been in business here for many years. In earlier times he was a partner in the firm of Davies and Murphy (now McGruer Davies), and for a lengthened period he had charge of the men’s department for the firm named, and also kept the firm’s books. On the dissolution of the partnership he went for a trip- Home, and on returning to Timaru set. up in business as a mercer, on his own account, which business he had carried on successfully ever since. The late Mr. O’Rourke, who was a fervent Catholic, devoted a lot of time to reading and had a special • liking for the poets, many of whose works he could recite in a manner which demonstrated his admiration for the authors, and the fact that he was possessed of a very retentive memory. Always most obliging, his services as a J.P. were largely availed of, and though he never sat on the Bench he was probably called on more than any other J.P. in the district to render other services. “Johnnie,” • he was familiarly called, and his untimely death will remove from the business community one whose absence will be very sincerely regretted. He is survived by a widow and young family, who will have the sympathy of everybody in their great sorrow,—R.l.P.

: me. john McLaughlin, timabu. An old colonist who had devoted many and strenuous years in the religious as well as in the material progress of the Dominion, in the person of Mr. John McLaughlin, • passed away on the 20th ult., at Timaru. The late Mr. McLaughlin was born in Co. Sligo, Ireland, and arrived in New' Zealand by the ship David G. Fleming in December, 1862, landing at' Lyttelton. He spent some time in the Timaru and Temuka districts, and formed one of a party engaged in carting the timber for the first Catholic church erected in the latter town. Removing to ‘ Southland, he spent about five years in contracting and street-forming in Invercargill, and was one of the first to take shares in the N.Z. Tablet Company when the paper was established, and ever since delighted to get his copy. Mr. McLaughlin was later engaged ini road construction in the Winton district, and while there put through a big contract known as the Forest Hill tramway, which is now the Forest Hill railway. He was a member of the first committee formed for the erection of St. Thomas’s Church, in Winton. Removing then to Dipton, he engaged in farming for 20 years, and it was owing to his untiring energy, along with that of the late Patrick Deegan, that the Catholic church was erected there free of debt. Ota Creek, Edendale, was his next home, and there he farmed successfully for 15 years. He was present at the opening of the new church at Gore. Returning about three years ago, he resided at Timaru till his death. Always an exemplary Catholic, he,' too, was a staunch Irishman, and eagerly perused the Irish new's in his favorite paper. He was attended by Rev. Father Barra, S.M., and, fortified by the last rites of Holy Church, passed peacefully away at the ripe age of 83 years. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of deceased was celebrated by Father Barra, who also officiated at the interment in the Timaru Cemetery. • The late Mr. McLaughlin is survived by his widow and six sons.R.I.P.