Evening star., 1914-02-12
LIFE OF mr.. DOWNEY
ONE OF GOOD WORK
Took His God Seriously" Says Rev.
Dr. William Joseph
Kerby.
Story OF His Many Philanthropies
Reviewed at Funeral Serv-
ices Today.

rs.t 'l,. late William T. Downey, who
coed Monday and for whom funeral serv-
i,cs were conducted ut St Matthews S
hurch today. took his God seriously.
- seriously that it seemed ut times lie
could reach out INTO the darkness and
touch His hand was the assertion of
t:ev. Dr. William Joseph Kcrby Of the
catholic University. in preaching the SER
mon. Dr. kerhv paid high tribute To Mr..
i,ouuey, referring 10 him as ii gentle.
bGdly man..
Several clersylnen Of note were present
A the solemn requiem high mass and the
church was flied to its utmost capacity.
Or. kerby dwelt at length on the fact
that Mr.. Downey took the commands of
the Bible literally. and that in his busi-
ness and social relations he followed its
words He was man of prayer" said
DR. kerby. He also spoke of Mr.. Dow
ney's work among the poor. saying that
the deceased believed fully in the broth
erhood of man.
Officers of the Mass.
Rev. Edward L. Buckley was celebrant
of the mass, the deacon being Rev.
John VI. Cooper and the suhdeacon Rev.
PhiIo l. Mills Among the clergyfnen
present ver. the rector, Mgr. Thomas 5
: L.. M.sr rH"mas J Shahan, Mgr.
William u Russell Et-v ttenry j. Shan
deHe of eieors"tGV "a University. Rev
FspiI ,7Tjlatt~ I;@v- iIilam I eErien
OF I'uii ita'u. y o., k@N, Huht oI the
Franciscan Mouast-ry Very Rev.
Geoyee H. pouGhertX. ylce president
OF the Catholic University. and Rev.
GaliuGher
.rhe 1ailhearers wcrc-iioncrary, ". Il.
Mort.oTuery. Anton dc Geofircy, Robert
Dort Robert Mcttvno!d. Lawrence
MsinGaU, T. i. IN alshe, James +. shea,
vii ian H. he Lacey, Floyd Z Davis,
WiIlialn j. t'udr-
Active. Leo kolh. NJ +. Mangan,
T. II. f'elleu. NlheTt :. Gstely, Joseph
Sta,cE and Edward i. Walsh
ihtvrmeut was III Mount olivet ceme-
t.rr-
ia connection with Nr. Downey's )
death ii mas been brought 10 light that
his charity was not limited to this
city. but bias been extended dcruSs the
S,.4s Tire late William l.. curtis of
Washington. on his departure for trip
10 Ireland il ;he sprIuE of ltVS. was
called upon bE Nj DOwncy. who was
q warm personal friend. and comln4s-
stoned to carry tangible evidence Of
birth in tn. Emerald Isle. The fol-
lowiu. extract from ono Irish sum
iier-" tGt. oIGme III which Dir. Curtis
described his journey. tells the story:
Story of the Benefaction-
Before : Iefl Washington a highly
.strernra friend. and one Of the most
charitable ..nd pIalic spirited citizens
OF tha clts a--t;s,e ed ME with i '"'s~'7'i
which was fulfilled as soon as possible
after arriving IN Limerick IL ~ g
leave witt tht parish priest OF ilis native
village of .4skeaton a generous sum oil
money for the benefit of the poor, and
YOU may imagine the pleasure that at
tended our visit there for that reason
Askeaton is an ancient village of 100 or
-, inhabitants, about twenty miles
from Limerick. where the River Dee
tuinbles INTO the Shannon.
Il found Father Edmond Tracy, the
Parish priest, a charming companion
HI, is an ideal type of the Irish priest
hood man of culture, learning ano
charming personality. He accepted the
trust l was instructed to place in his
care. and rold me that, although Askea-
Ton was fairly prosperous and the people
Of tile neighborhood parish were well tc
do he frequently had appeals for charity
that Tn. Stanty revenues OF the church
It.sde il difficult for linn TO respond to-
The friend referred to was Mr.. Downey
at hough IN Difference TO his known
m,jiesiy, Mr. Curtis did not mention his
usnfe.