Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-14
DEATH OF FATHER M.GIvNEY.
The Young Clergyman Passes Quietly
Away This Morning

Away This Morning
At II 80 o'clock this morning Rev NJ.
j. Mckinney, pastor of st Thomas
church, Thomaston, died at the paro-
chial residence in that town, after an
illness dating from the first of the year.
Death was not unexpected and yet the
announcement that the end has come
will he received with profound regret
by the multitude of friends of the de-
ceased throughout the state. Father
McGivney was gifted with qualities that
endeared him to all with whom he came
in contact, both in the discharge of his
priestly functions and in his social life.
Michael j. Mckinney was born in this
city on the 18th day of August, 1852.
He studied in the public schools and
worked for a short time in the spoon
department of Holmes, Booth & Hay
dens' factory. His earliest ambition
was to become priest, and in 1868 he
entered the college at st Hyacinth, Can
ada. After studying there for two
years he entered the Niagara seminary
of Our Lady of Angels, where he remain
ed one year. He then entered the Jesuit
college, (St Mary's) at Montreal, for the
fall term of 1871. At this institution he
finished rhetoric and would have conf
pleted his philosophy but for the death
of his father, in June 1878. During the
summer vacation of that year he was
adopted as a student of the diocese of
Hartford, by the late Bishop Mcfarland,
and was sent to st Mary's seminary, Bal
timore, where he completed philosophy
and theology and was ordained at Christ
mas 1877, by Archbishop Gibbons.
After his ordination Father Mckinney
was appointed as curate to the late Rev
Father Murphy, then pastor of st Mary's
church, New Haven, where he remained
for seven years. From there he went to
Thomaston on November IS, 1884, and
assumed the responsible charge of st
Thomas church, with a thriving mission
church in Terryville. His labors were
very arduous and during the six years
of his passionate the church debt has
been almost entirely liquidated.
Last winter Father McGivney's health
began to fail. He was an early sufferer
from influenza, but stood at his post of
duty during the Christmas devotions,
although far from being well. Early in
January he suffered from pneumonia,
and has never been well since, stomach
trouble with general decline and break
ing down of the system following the
acute illness. He made two trips to the
south for the benefit of his health, and
consulted eminent New York physicians
without receiving any permanent benefit.
For some time it was known that the
end was near, but, although physical
wreck, the dying priests intellect was
clear to the last and he never ceased to
be solicltous after the welfare of his
| flock. His only regret at being called
| was that he could not witness the or
dination of his two brothers, who are
preparing themselves for the priesthood.
In Father Mckinney the Knights OF
Columbus loses a friend and adviser.
While curate of st Mary's church, New
Haven, he conceived the idea of estab
fishing an insurance and benevolent or
ganization to promote good fellowship
among the Catholics of Connecticut,
and gathering about him Messrs Colwell
Mullen and Cosgrove of New Haven, a
modest beginning was made. Father
Mckinney himself went to Boston, New
York and other cities to investigate diff
ferent Catholic organizations, and per
sonally attended to all the trying details
of the new society. A state charter was
obtained and early in 1882 the first
council of the knights of Columbus was
instituted. The order spread rapidly
and to-day numbers nearly 5000 mem
bers. Since its organization Father
McGivney has been annually elected
supreme chaplain. Quite recently {
purse of nearly ST. 900 was presented tt
Father Mckinney in recognition of hi!
gratuitous services for the welfare o.
the society. Every council of the order
contributed to the purse.
A number of sisters and brothers o.
the deceased reside in this city. They
are: Mrs NJ. j. LawIor, Mrs E. j. Finn
Misses Annie and Maggie Mckinney
P. J. Mckinney and John Mckinney
students at st Johns seminary il
Brighton, Mass.
The arrangements for the funera
have not yet been completed. The in
terment will be either in st Joseph
cemetery in this city, or in the church
| ward at ThOmastOn,