September 4, 2006:

Thanks to Larry Cavanagh for the following:

The True Witness and Catholic Chronicale - Montreal Canada - January 26, 1905

Death of Mr. W. Cavanagh

On Sunday, the eighth instant, there passed to his reward the soul of an aged 
man who, though unassuming in every aspect, nevertheless was one who filled his 
humble place here below in a manner which reflected credit on himself and gave 
good example to thos he has left after him. Such was the late William Cavanagh, 
of the parish of Richmond, near Ottawa, who died at the home of his son, 
Rev. Father Cavanagh, in Mayo, Quebec. The deceased was seventy-nine years of age. 
He was born in the parish of Richmond, a couple of miles from the place where 
he spent the greater part of his life.

His father, Peter Cavanagh, was a native of Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland and was a 
veteran of the war of 1812, and fought at Lundy's Lane, Queenston Heights, and 
on many other well contested fields of that historic struggle. His mother, 
Elizabeth Jefferys was a native of the principlality of Wales, and with her 
mother was a convert to the Catholic Church.

Mr. Cavanagh leaves a brother, Walter, two years older than he, and two sisters, 
Mrs Weathers (Withers) and Mrs. Fitzgerald, both of Richmond. Another sister, 
Mrs Mears, lives in North Dakota, USA and a younger brother, Peter, died in 
the autumn of 1893.

The deceased was married to Cathrine Kelsey, of Kilmeedy, County Limerick, 
Ireland. Of a family of nine children, six are still living. The good mother 
having been called away, the deceased father fulfilled the obligations that 
ordinarily devolve upon both father and mother and fulfillled them in an 
exemplary manner. It needs only to be told how his family have fared to see 
what his single-handed labors must have been. His eldest son, Peter, is a 
physician of twenty years' experience in the State of Iowa. He made a course of 
classics in the Univerity of Ottawa, and a course of medicine in the University 
of Michigan. James, the next in age, follows the avocation of his father on the 
old homestead. Mrs. Patrick Gasson, the only living daughter, resides with her 
family in the village of Manotick, Ont. Joseph, the next in rank of years, 
lives on a (unknown word(s)) Fayette, Mich. Walter... arts course in the 
University of Ottawa in which he graduated in 1893 and afterwards completed the 
course of theology in the same institution, and was ordained to the priesthood 
in 1897 and is now pastor of St. Malachy, Mayo, Que. Patrick, the youngest son, 
is a letter delivery man on the staff of that department in Ottawa.

The deceased was a life-time supporter of the Liberal party in politics, but 
above all he storve to be a faithful Catholic. His interest in the affairs of 
old Ireland was not less than that of those who were born there, and one of 
his wishes was to see the legislation of Ireland accorded to her before he 
left this world.

His life work was well done, and kind providence granted him the consolation 
of having his own son not only close his eyes in death but also bestow upon 
him the last blessing that our holy religion accords to her faithful children. 
May his soul rest in peace.

 
E-mail Larry Cavanagh and Al Lewis



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