The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-09-14
Funeral Of Beloved Priest ID
Rutland To Day
WAS Largely ATTENDED
Priests from All Parts Of The State
Gathered to 0ficiate--st. Peters
Church Could Not Hold
the Mourners.

Rutland, Sept f4~The most elabo-
rate obsequies witnessed III this city
il many years were solemnized today
At the funeral 81 Rev. Thomas / Gaif-
ncy AZ St, Peters church, where he had
presided a. rector for 20 years. Scores
III priests from an parts of New Eng
land were IN this city to pay tribute
to the dead clergyman and business was
practically suspended IN the city during
funeral honrs. The church was heavily
drapcd With crepe and public buildings
were hung with mourning The BIC
church which seats 900 would permit
only a small part Of the people to at.
tend the services.
Bishop j. s. Michand of Burlington
assisted at the mass from the throne
Res. Edward s. REYNOLDS Of Below
Fails was celebrant at the requiem high
mass. Rev D. 7 fl'Sullivan of ST. AT
bans was deacon, Rev. John Calligan
of Burlington acted AZ snb.deacon and
Rev. r. J Dohenv of this city as master
Of ceremonies The bearers were some
Of Rutland's most prominent merchant.
and professional men: George G. Under.
hill. Thomas W. AoIonev, Michael Cliff
ford, William s. Smith. Dr.. John d
Hanrahan and Anthony Hogan.
There were fully 1000 people in Tho
procession which accompanied the re
mains from the church to the grave. tins
burial being in Calvary cemetery. which
Father (aifnev founded. In the proees
sion there were, besides the pail bearers
and escort Of priests. the choir ant
delegations from all the local Catholi,
societies
Fr. Gaffney's Work.
Tr. Thomas ]. Gaffnev was born n
ireland 63 years ago. His bovhaod wa,
spent in that country. his early cdAea
tion bring received 1T AIaynooth college
and All Hallc's college near Dublin
When about 20 years Of are he came
to this country and flushed his ednca
tion Al Montreal
ln 1857, at the age Of "A, he cam,
To Rutland after having been 0rdainps
Ak Burlington. After serpfng about
wear as curate under Er. Boylan he be
came parish priest at Dorset. also TAX
ing charge of missions 1T Nalliugforl
Mr.. Holly and Manchester. This pos
eutailed long trips from one town t,
another in all kinds Of weather. i
was probably during this time that III
contracted the bronchial affection which
has troubled him ever since.
When Father Charles 7 Roylan died
FIR. Gafney returned to Rutland as par
ish priest, which position lie had filel
up to the present time Under his mihi
ancc the congregation has increased. Tia
church debt has been liquidaied and tn
parochial schools improved anF enlarged
He founded Calvary cemetery.
FIR. Gaflney ALWAYS insisted ufnn sh
strict observance OF the church law bl
his paiishioncss and his crisaaes agaius
dancing and card PLAYING have mad
him Tie object Of much comment.
Mr.. GAflney WAS an extensive traveller
having made trips to Europe and th
hcly land.
Duripg the hitter trip lie visited th
vatican ~ Rome. where he led 4 part
Of 2 priests and 80 laynen IN an audi
cuce before Pope Plus \. making th
presentation address ia Latin. Unoi
his return 10 Rutland his parishiancr
presented him with a purse Of $500.