The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-20
REoUIEscAT IN PACE.
Rev. Father William A. Nealon S
Funeral Yesterday.

one of the most impressive funerals
ever held in this city was that which
was held yesterday morning at the
Roman Catholic church of ST. Rose de
Lima, The services over the body OF
the lamcntcd Rev. Father William \.
Noalon. who died in far-of Kentucky,
away from home and kindred, were OF
the most imposing character and were
Witnessed by AN exceptionally large
number of church diGnitaries and by a
congregation that filled ST Rose church
to the uttcrmost Tho line of carriages
was without exception, the longest
ever assembled at funeral in this
city, and the procession which followed
the remains of the priest to the Gene.
tcry or st. Rose was composed of
throng which was the greatest since
the beloved Father Carcw was laid in
his last resting place.
Father Nealon had been priest at
ST. Roses church for five years and
had many friends who did their utmost
to pay their last respects TO him. AL
though the services in the church were
not to take place until 10 o'clock these
friends commenced to assemble at the
church as early as s o'clock, and long
before the hour set the church was
filled, with the exception of the pews
reserved for the family and kindred.
The funeral cortegc left the resi-
dcnce of the departed cne's parents.
Hon. and Mrs. John Nealon on South
Church street, at 10 o'clock. 1t arrived
at the church ten minutes later. The
coffin was escorted by a delegation,
twelve in number, from the Hyde Park
council, Catholic Mutual Benevolent
association, of Scranton, OF which
Father Nealon was a charter member.
1t was met at the entrance to the
church by delegation OF priests. The
casket was covered with black en-
bossed broadcloth. A silver crucitix
was on the top at each end and in the
centre silver name plate bearing the
name, "W. A. Nealon."
The altar was draped in black, the
aisle candlesticks rested in black urns
and every appointment betokened the
deep mourning and the solemn cere-
nony of the Roman Catholic ritual
pertaining to the solemn ktgh mass OF
requiem, the beautiful and impressive
service of the dead.
Upward of forty priests were ushered
from a rear room and took seats within
been brought up the centre aisle and
left in front of the altar rail. When
they had all filed in they, in unison
commenced the chant for the Office OF
the dead, while Fathers Curran, OF
Wilkes Barre, and Hanley, of Homes
dale, led the responses. This sublime
ceremony was rendered most effective
BY its being sustained without the ac,
it,,,,, - L..
trained voices of the prelates swelleC
and gained in volume and fell agar
to a low, wailng tone, 1t produced al
effect that could not but be felt by
every person within hearing.
After the Office for the dead the sol
.emp high requiem mass was cele
.hrated. Father Mofiitt OF Taylor. wa.
,Celebrant: Father Moylan, Of Susque
hanrfa, deacon: Father LOTUS, o
Scranton, sub-dcacon, and Father Grir
lin, of Scranton, master of ceremonies
During the mass Miss May Moffit
sang the Ave Marie" OF Gounod in
most effective manner.
Right after mass and prior to- thu
ceremony OF blessing the coffin. Rt
I;cv.NThomas #. Coffey. rector of th'
".hutoh made "A brief address. He be
'&ah by saying that no other objec
shan q wish to pay his personal tri
bute TO priest who had long beef
associated with him would hav,
brought him out in his present phys
cal condition. Father Coffey was still
very weak, and plainly showed tn
effects of his recent extreme illness
lie aaid that frailty was plainl,
STAMPED in Father Nealon's face. "a
7t"was on the face of all, and tha
thfrime would come when that frailt,
must Succumb before the mighty ma
iesty of death. He said that Fathe
NeaI0n was dear to the Lord beclus