Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-12
FATHER O'CONNOR. /
LOVED PRIEST OF
HARRISON, IS DEAD
End Comes to Noted Religious
and Civic Leader After III
ness Since Last August.
TOWNS CHIEF FACTOR
FOR SEVERAL DECADES
Drove Out Gambling Places.
Advocated Clean Government
and Aided in Other Reforms.

sixty-four taps sounded on the Har-
rtson fire bells announced the death
at 1905 o'clock this morning OF Rev.
Maurice p. O'Connor, rector of the
Church of the Holy Cross for thirty
years. Father O'Connor was sixty
four years old. His death has cast
a deep gloom over the entire town.
Expressions of sorrow are forthcom-
ing from people of all denominations.
Father O'Connor had been i'll since
last August with stomach trouble.
He went to different health resorts
but never seemed to improve AS time
wore on his condition became worse.
Several times recently he weakened
considerably, and 1t was thought each
time his death was a question only of
hours. On each occasion, however, he
rallied.
A short time before his death today
he seemed to realize what was going
on about him. His relatives, being
told the end was near, had gathered
about his bedside. Charles M. OCon-
nor, nephew, spoke to the clergy
man, and the latter lifted his hand
In response. This was about a half
hour prior to his death. The end came
peacefully.
Those at the bedside were his broth-
er, Patrick; his sister-in- law. Mrs.
Bernard A. O'Connor; his nephews.
William and Charles O'Connor; Faith
ers Hurley and Gallery and two
nurses who had been in attendance
for some time. Just as soon as pos
sible after death occurred word was
sent to the Harrison Town Hall, from
where the bells were tolled. There
was an interval of ten seconds be-
tween each tap.
Each toll represented year in the
priests life. The bell had pealed only
few minutes before the townspeople
realized what 1t meant, as the signal
had been arranged. Pupils of the
parochial school were dismissed when
word OF the death was received at the
institution.
Flags mt Half-sIast.
Mayor Joseph p Riordan a short
time after the death issued q request
to all people In the town to place
flags at half mast. The mayor de-
clared such a tributR was due the
dead prelate, who efd more than any
one else in furtherlng the affairs OF
/ the town and effeeting an uplift of
morals therein.
A meeting of the Senior Holy Name
Society, of which Father O'Connor
| was spiritual director, VIII be held
tonight. Arrangements will be made
to name guards of honor to remain
on duty in the church when the body
is brought there Monday afternoon
to lie In state. The funeral will be
held on Tuesday morning. Inter-
ment will be in the family plot In the
Cemetery OF the Holy Sepulchre
Mayor Joseph p. Riordan this after
noon announced he had called a spe-
| citl meeting of the Harrison Town
Council to take place tonight at s
o'clock. Action will be taken at that
time on the death Of Father O'Connor.
sixty-Three Years Old.
Father O'Connor was born in Scot
iand, of Irish famine exiles. on March
20, 1850, and came to this country
with his parents when he was
eleven years old. The family re-
sided in Jersey City. After having
graduated from a parochial school In
the Hudson county seat he entered
| St Charles College, at Elllcot City.
Md, to study for the priesthood. He
was the classmate of Bishop John j.
O'Connor and Bishop McFaul, OF
Trenton, at Seton Hall College, where
he was graduated in 1873.
Father O'Connor was ordained a
priest at st. Patrick's Cathedral, New
CONTINUED on Page IL, Col. 81