Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26

him scarcely noticed the flnal separa- tion which came just as the close of the recital of the litany of the de- parting.
 During the summer months he was able to be about town and he enter tained the hope of being able to make a trip south before the winter set in. Last month he suffered relapse and his condition became so alarming Bishop Tierney, since deceased, was notified and came on here spending a portion of Friday, October with the patient. On the Saturday following the bishop was stricken, but at that time Monsignor Slocum's condition was so serious that 1t was decided not to make it known to him and he passed away unmindful of the fact that Bishop Tierney had preceded him into the unknown world.
 Monsignor Slocum had four broth CTS and one sister, all of whom died before him. They were Thomas, Frank. John, Michael and Mrs James Fruin. He leaves the following nephews and nieces: Miss Angie Slocum, Port chester, N. Y; John Slocum and Will liam J. Slocum of Winsted, the lat ter a reporter on the Republican: Dr John w. Fruin of St Mary's hos pital, Hoboken, NJ.
 Right Rev Monsignor William J. Slocum was born in Winsted on Feb ruary 6, 1851, and received his pre- liminary education in the public and parochial schools of his native town. His college and seminary courses were completed at St Bonaventure's, Allegany, N. Y, where he was ordain. ed to the priesthood on June 22, 1876, by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo His first assignment was as curate under the late Rev Lawrence Walsh at St Peters, Hartford. Later he was assistant to the Very Rev James Lynch and Rev J. s. Fitzpatrick at St Patrfck's New Haven. From there he went to the cathedral at Hartford. In May, 1883 he was appointed pas tor at Norwalk, where he was made a permanent rector. On September l, 1895, he came to Waterbury to succeed the late Vicar General J. A. Mulcahy. His work in Waterbury has been the wonder of the whole community and include repairs on the church, purchase and layout of the new St Joseph's cemetery. pur- chase of site and erection of St Thomas's church, the building of the Mulcahy memorial, purchase and es- tablishment of St Mary's Day nur- sery, erection of St Mary's new gram mar school with large boiler house and other modern equipments, and last, but by no means least, purchase of site for St Mary's hospital, to which he donated the sum of 10000, which is said to be every dollar he was worth. The property acquired and paid for since Monsignor Slocum came is valued at about $200,000. The most remarkable thing about Monsignor Slocum's phenomenal suc- cess in Waterbury Is that it has been accomplished without infiicting any hardship upon his congregation. no collection being taken up for church purposes since he came here, and yet the parish is practically out of debt.
 Monsignor Slocum was a tireless worker. and in addition to the out side work of the parish he has cele- brated mass and preached almost ev- cry Sunday. Besides this he has an- swered several invitations to address audiences in other places and on va rious occasions has been the princi- pal speaker at c. A. R. meetings and other gatherings of that character. He was considered one of the most brilliant orators in New England and on more than one occasion demon strated his claim to this distinction.
 In November, 1906. Father Slocum was elevated to the dignity of domes- tic prelate, with the title of monsig- nor. by Pope Plus X. The ceremony of investure was held at the Immacu- late Conception church on Thursday. January 3. 1907. Right Rev Bishop Tierney, D. D., officiating. and was the most impressive church function ever held in Waterbury. The sermon was preached by the Rev Hugh Treanor of Norwich. At that time he was beginning to fail, but 1t was thought that trip south which he had planned and carried out would restore his vigorous health, but this