Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-05-20
DEATH or FATHER TONES.
The Eloquent Young Priest . Victim
 To Heart Failure.

10 Heart E01lur0.
 The Catholics of this city were startled last night by the news that the Rev Joseph w. Zones. late pastor of St Ann's His death occurred Sunday evening at North Attleboro, Mass, where he had been stopping with relatives. The news came with a shock to the people of Waterbury who admired the clergyman for his eloquence, ability and learning, for his kindly disposition and unfailing good nature.
 The deceased clergyman was native of Pawtucket R. l., where he was born about forty years ago. His father was an American and Protestant, and in his youth young Zones generally attended his fathers church. After the death of his mother, who was an Irish Catholic lady, his father married again ,his second choice being the companion and intimate friend of his first wife, and like her an Irish Catholic. Young Zones now be- gan to study the religious question for himself, and before he was fourteen years of ,e he had become a devout and intelligent Catholic. It was about this time the family moved to New Haven and young Zones was apprenticed to learn the tinsmith's and plumbers trado at the establishment of Jesse Cud- worth on Chapel street. While working at his trade the boy neglected no opportunity to improve his mind, and he was known as one of the brightest and most gifted young men of St Johns parish where he attended. He was a member of several debating societies and of St Johns choil, being the posses sor of a beautiful tenor voice of rare quality, power and compass. He was also the president of the temperance cadets of the parish. While 8 member of St Johns parish he attracted the at tention and won the friendship of the late Rev Dr Carmody, at that time pas tor of the church, and through his kind offices was enabled to begin his studies at the Sulpician college in Montreal, which ended in 1880 in his ordination to the priesthood. While student here the deceased distinguished himself for remarkable proficiency in his studies, and particularly for his skill in acquir- ing the French language which he spoke with all the f1uency and perfection of native. He was much in demand on ex- traordinary occasions where his beAuti- tinguished consideration. During his student days in Montreal he was a col lege mate of Rev Father Treanor of the Sacred Heart church, Prof J. A. Moran and John J. Splain of this city.
 After his ordination Father Zones was assigned chiefly to duty among French speaking Catholics, his remarkable com mand of the language making him es- pecially valuable in that field. He otficiat- ed as curate at Jewett City, ,Willimantic, Grosvenordale and Tnomaston. When the ThomastOn parish was divided Father Zones was made pastor of Water town, whence he was transferred to St Ann's in this city about four years ago. Under his watchful care St Ann's has grown to be prosperous and successful parish, and his death will be regretted by none more sincerely than by his late practitioners. When he left his charge two weeks ago Father Zones remarked to friend that his days were almost numbered. He had been suffering for some time from a complication of stom- ach, heart and lung troubles, and his death is believed to be due to heart fail ure. Father Zones had not appeared much in public of late, his last public appearance being on the occasion of Daniel Dougherty's recent lecture in City hall. The last time he spoke in public was at the St Patrick's nj ght ban quet, when he spoke eloquently and thrilllngly to the toast 1.-The American Flag" Father Zones had the comfort of receiving his Protestant father into the Catholic church shortly before the latter's death, which occurred a few years ago.
 Father Zones had few equals for ability, learning anu eloquence among the clergy of the diocese As a theolo- gian he was profound and scholarly, as a preacher he was brilliant, magnetic and eloquent, whether speaking in French or his native tongue as gen eral man of education he was versatile, polished and accomplished. He was man of strong opinions and took much delight in the clash of intellect. Of a peculiarly sensitive temperament he was at times inclined to melancholy and Encouragement, and this probably superinduced ln a measure the condi- tions that caused his untimely death. In Father Tones has gone to rest gifted scholar, brilliant orator, priest whose abilities shed lustre on the church he served.
 At the funeral, which will take place from St Mary's church in Pawtucket to- morrow morning, most of the clergy men of Waterbury will be present. The interment will be in the family lot in