Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1924, Page 28

Obituary

MR. CORNELIUS RODGERS, DUNEDIN.

- , All connected with the Tablet Office, as also the members of his family arid numerous friends, were stricken with the deepest sorrow when it became known that Mr. Cornelius Rodgers, chief of the machinery department of the Tablet Printing and Publishing- Company, had passed away after a brief illness. Enjoying, apparently, his usual good health till a few weeks ago, when he found ; it , necessary to seek medical aid followed by a short .sojourn in hospital. Mi’. Rodgers, after treatment there returned home on Saturday with buoyant hopes of being on the fairway to recovery. A sudden seizure during the night, how.'ver, occasioned .. a return to hospital, death supervening on Sunday morning. The deceased, who was born in Lawrence Central Otago, 50 years agb, was a ' son of the late,. Jeremiah Rodgers, a pioneer settler of that •district, whoS£; family, consisted of eight sons and three , daughters. He was educated at Lawrence and joined the Tablet Company as an apprentice. He was the oldest hand in the employ of the Company, and during the 36 years of his faithful service became ; an expert in- printing machinery. His death occurred but a few days after the Company purchased new machinery to be installed in its new building now in course of erection, and his last work-before being laid aside -was ,to go North to inspect the proposed plant. The following personal reference to the late Mr. Rodgers appeared in the jubilee issue of the Tablet on May 3 of last year: —‘“Mr, Rodgers has had charge of the printing machinery for many years, and the Company, as well as the editorial staff, have learned by long experience that as long as-he remains at his post , the wheels of the business below - stairs will run without friction. He knows his 'machines , and his business like a master and his long years of service have made him a vital factor ift the Tablet's success. Not the least of his qualities is his unfailing bonhomie which carries him smiling through every day’s work from year’s end to year’s end.” A keen sportsman, the late Mr. Rodgers took a lively interest in football, and as a youth was connected with the Zingari Football Club. Always of a genial and obliging disposition he was very highly esteemed by his fellow-employees in the Tablet^ Office, as also: by all who were acquainted with him. We tender our condolences to his bereaved widow and family of two sons and four daugthers, who will, too, receive the sympathy of a very wide circle of friends. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of deceased was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Tuesday by Rev. Father Foley, Adm., who attended Mr. Rodgers during his Jll ness. The funeral, which was numerously attended, left after Mass for the Southern Cemetery' Rev. Father Tylee officiating at the graveside. The directorate of the Tablet Company was represented by Mr. J. J. Marlow at the obsequies. In the absence of the editor (Rev. Dr. Kelly) from Dunedin, Mr. J. J. Wilson (subeditor) represented the editorial dept.. The office was closed out of respect to the memory of the deceased, and the manager (Mr. J. P. Walls) and the whole of the employees of the company attended the Mass and'funeral.— R.I.P. r- y ' ■ V " ;■ ' ■