The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-09
Obituary.

! Obituary.
Wecopy the following from recent num-
Der of the Catholic Mir70r Father Fitzsim-
mons, the subject of the obituary, was man
beloved by all who knew him. Protestant and
Catholic were alike drawn to him by the gent
al attractveness of his nature, and the broad
charity which marked his daily walk, and
many heart in this community sadly feels his
loss His life was light and his end was
peace.
KEYsER, W. VA, August 10th. 1885,
| Nessrs. Editors:-The death of Rev Father Fttz-
simmons the recently deceased pastor OF this place.
has fallen like pail on this community, and all Its
members irrespective of denomination, are Ia
menting their heavy loss. This bereavement Is the
| more distressing as Its visitation unexpected
and leaves void which is difficult, Ii not tmpoSSi
Die to Ill., But few short ago this beloved
pastor moved amongst his people with wonted vgor
and cheerfulness His native ardor waxed more en-
thustastc and fervid In the prospect of mission
with which he would soon surprise them, attracting
them still more to duty and TO God. This mission
given by the Redemptorist Fathers Miller and Bre-
hof and lasting the 9th the 10th June, at
Keyser and Pau Paul. was the fruit OF his zeal and
filled up the measure of his merits. Never his
step more elastic, his spirit more bouyant than
when dispensing hospitality 10 these good Fathers;
he assisted them in the successful prosecution Of
their godly work But his extraordinary efforts OF
Jealous devotedneSS overtaXed his strength and
soon efrectually Frustrated him. A cold contracted
from exposure while 1Ourneying to Pau Pau, in be-
half of the mission begun easily served as the
exciting cause of disease violent rain storm
took him while en- route thither and found him
wholly unprepared 1t was his last visit to Pau Pau,
his last zeal for people whose spiritual well
fare dearer to him than life. The following Sun
day. the Goth June, beloved pastor celebrated
his last Mass Keyser, In the little Church Of the
ASSUMPTION which he loved well and administer
ed to SO faithfully. 1t was then sadly apparent to
all that their devoted pastor was III ana that the
work of the preceding fortnight had completely
derminded his constitution. His condition betrayed
symptoms OF fever and nervous prostration Unable
to give Vespers he betook himself to bed and
treated for the Jyphomalarial fever. This disease
in no way formidable during Its first stages, ap-
peared at length break and have wholly yielded
to Sisters aectionate and to dtligent medical
attention. But at the critical moment when he him
self was most confident and his friends most san
guine in the expectation Of recovery relapse en-
sued which disappointed every fond hope Daily did
the symptoms of this new phase in his condition
grow more and more alarming despite redoubled
vigilance and unremittng care OF skful nurses and
physicians The news OF Father Fitzsimmons alarm
ing condition spread far and wide as II borne the
wings of Electer, for Father Fttzsimmons
general favorte. Priests from near and far Off mis-
s1ons Hooked around him rendering their p1ous min
istrations, and encouraging him with every cheer
ing word. His Right Rev. Bishop resembling ENGAGE
ments, all but peremptory, fastened to console him.
becoming his constant bedside attendant by day
and by night until he breathed his last tendery
did he love him. The Rev Father Fitzsimmons expir
ed IL o'clock evening Of Wednesday, the 4th
day OF August. The of his death filed all with
dismay and melted the hardest hearts. When some
awful calamity Details a community and causes a
void too great be compassed 1t is only gradually
that Its members realize the lOss has 1t been In
the case Of this bereavement. The tender and the
stout-hearted are now alike undisttngu1shable in
the common grief. The tntensest regret has appro-
prtately responded to the 1ntensest love, and the
ch1ldren's overwhelming affection proves faithful
fathers mastering love. NOW is his goodness the
theme of their praise, while his afec
ton for them suffuseS them in tears. Already does
gratitude overflow their hearts, and they are con-
templating an appropriate memorial OF their pas
tors worth by the erection Of handsome monu-
ment over his grave.
On Ertd 6th nj Mass of
offered up for the repose of the deceased pas
tor, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Richmond, himself Of
hcatng and pronOnnclng the funeral discourse. In
the sanctuary Of the church were many clergymen,
the particular friends of the deceased Among them
conspicuously. noticeable were Rev. Edward Bren-
man, R.D., of Cumberland; Rev. F. P. OConner, of |
Mount Savage; Rev. George W. Devine, of Western
port who attended the deceased in his last illness;
Rev jeremiah o Sull1van, of Washington; Rev. Val |
enttne Schmttt, Of Frostburg; Rev. James O'Br1en,
PIP, Of Homecoming; Rev. John Mccall, of Barton;
Rev. Fathers Dougherty and ORe1lly, of Martins |
burg, W. Va; Rev. John McVerry, of Staunton, Va;
Rev. Fir. Hagan, Of Winchester; Rev. Jos. Coonane,
Of Marlboro, Nd; Rev. p. Boyce of Rowlesburg and |
Rev. j. T. Carey, OF WeSternport.
The remains were borne to Mart1nsburg, and In
TERED in the Catholic cemetery of that place.
t1nSburg was the first field of his missionary labors,
and the deceased, when living, expressed a prefer
ence for Its soil. The funeral cortege was headed
lie societies from Westernport, Piedmont, and Key
ser. On reaching Marttnsburg these were Joined by
others of that city and the cortege swollen to i'm
mense proportions. Mr.. Woodward, the B. Il 0. r.
r. agent here particular friend of deceased
kindly provided express travelling accommodations,
with tickets at reduced rates.
Rev. Peter Fitzsimmons was born on the 9th of
March, 1851, In the parish of Maughery, county of
Cavan, Ireland: Having early proposed devoting
his life to God in the ecclesiastical state In pursu
ance of his resolution, he began his of study
in the classical school of Virginia, romantic town
Migrating to this country In 1851 he resumed his
STUDIES IN the PETITE setnatre OF St. Charles, How
ard county Nd Thence In due course he was
he won for himself many friends from amongst the
faculty and students by his attractive and
exemplary pfety In 1876 on the 18th day of Decem-
Der, he received the priestly dignity, having
regularly ordained by the lamented Archbishop
Bayley.
tfnsburg, which he ever fondly remembered and
where he became endeared all by his self-sacrl-
Icing ZEAL He seemed to fully realize that the mis-
sion of the priesthood is to spend be spent for
the good of souls, and to thirst for that happy
summation In his own person. His subsequent his
tory during his brief career at Staunton and at Key
SER Is but further exemplication Of his efficiency
as successful laborer in the Masters Vineyard
me improvements which he had in contemplation !
as well as those already achieved, served as en-
during monument to his zeal.
His social qualities Interesting as affording
further illustration Of the inner life of which they
served both as the reflex and counterpart. His
presence the sunshine Of the social circle she'd
ding all around the genial beams Of the divine light
within. His patience was imperturbable and moth
Ing could overshadow the serenity his soul which
seemed to illuminate his whole visage. Hence was
ms influence great FOR none could fail to recognize
the gufelessness OF his SOUL Hence, too the great
bereavement OccaStoned by his death to the hearts
of thousands, for
None knew him but to love him, |
None named him but in praise.'
He is gone, and another pure soul has beeu added
to the virginia. train whose privilege it is to follow
the Lamb wheresoever He goeth. Yet, let not
take undue advantage of the inspiring assurance of
the blessed life which he led to neglect pray for
him. He was entitled to this need of remember
ace as the afectiOnae tribute of our gratitude for
with his dying lips he wont to calculate the
prayer of Holy Mother Church. May the souls of the
faithful departed through the mercy Of God,
peace. Let us offer up this pious Innovation and
Include In it our departed friend, for shall not
soon see his like again. ''Have pity on me, have
pity on me- at least you, friends for the hand Of
The Lord hath touched me-" Dob, XIX R. 1. p