The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-23
DEATH ENDS WORK
 OF FATHER DUCEY
Noted Rector of St. Leo's Church Continued in Ac-
 tive Service to the End
LONG IN THE PUBLIC EYE

New York. Aug 23.-The Rev. Thomas J. Ducey. rector of St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church. in Twenty eighth street. near Fifth avenue. died early yesterday morning at his coun- try home in St. James. l.. l.. at the age of sixty-seven years. He had re- fused to follow the advice of his physi- clans. who told him he must have conn plete rest. and spent several days last week in his parish. When he return ed to his country home Friday evening he was exhausted and steadily de- clined. Death was due to dropsy.
 Since last Christmas Father Ducey had not been well. but his associates were unable to persuade him to take the rest which was needed for his re- covery- He declared he intended to die working. The body was taken to the rectory. in East Twenty ninth street. last evening. and the funeral service will be held at the church. probably on Wednesday,.
 His varied activities and his many sided nature were in no way more plainly revealed than by the names by Stage" Priest of the Hotels ]" "-'.Friend of the workmen" and Friend of Wealthy Society" were some of his
 MUCH IN PUBLIC EYE.
 Father Ducey's career and the his 
 synonymous. He was it's orfgina tor. in 1880. and was it's pastor until his death- During the twenty mine years the church has represented peculiar phase of metropolitan life. and few priests have been so widely known and discussed as ne. His originality and outspoken opposition to corrupt forces of politics. together with his among the poor. kept him much be- fore the public. Part of the conRregation of St. Leo's Church was made up for years of resi- dents in hotels. among which it is located. Father Ducey was known in every hotel in this section and was frequently summoned to minister to strangers in the city It was this work which led several years ago to his building mortuary chapel. where bodies are left until arranGements are made for burial. Use of the chapel is open to all. regardless of creed or na- Father Ducey numbered among his friends hundfeds of actors and ac- tresses, who were his freduent visit homes and on the stage. Others of his friends were prominent families in society. s
 While his church was regarded as one Of the. wealthiest in the city. Father Ducey's sympathies and much Of his efforts went to the poor. Dur ing q period of business depression
 
 at his chapel and fed several hundred hungry men every night
 INHERITED A FORTUNE. Born in Ireland. he was brought to this country when a small boy. He was a ward and later the adopted son of James T. Brady. noted lawyer. from whom he inherited a fortune. He was educated in the Colege of St. Francis Xavier and St. Joseph's Sem- linary. in Troy. and was ordaiRed in 1863. He was assistant of the Church | of the Nativity and thensspent several years among the poor Of the east side as assistant in the Church of the Michaeps Church. 1 It was his rare ability as an orator which won for him the rectorship of I the new St. Leo's church. His ser of the day. and he preached three or four times nearly every Sunday. He denounced Tammany Hall and corrupt political conditions. He con- at his own expense hired halls to speak for anti-Tammany candidates. He was particularly bitter. against cor rupt lawyers. and was known in many police courts. where he aided poor men. His constant attendaIlce at the i Lexow investigation brought forth a sharp criticism from Archbishop Cor rigan. His personal charities amount ed to large sums
 St. Leo's Church. while not large. cost about $1,0O0, 900. and in 1906 the congregation raised a large sum to meet a nlortgagei which was due. In addition to his varied duties Father Ducey found much time for study and | had wide knowledge of the classics. | .r l People with chronic bronchitis. asth- ma and lung trouble. will find great
 relief and comfort in Foiey,s Honey | l L.