The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-20
PRIEST LOVED OF ALL MEN
 GOES BEYOND. Had Labored Long and Wen for Both Church and
 City BISHOP MILAN WILL ARRANGE FUNERAL Dead Father Had Done Much for City of His
 Youthful Days

Bridgeport residents of all religious creeds and many of no creed were profor shocked today to learn of the death of Rev. Father Charles '. McElroy, rector of st. Augus- tines church, who passed away early this nrorning at the rec tory on Washington avenue. He had been ill since last Thursday when am attack Of pneumonia forced him to retire Ito bed. It was known that his condition was serious but he rallied slightly at times and it was hoped that he would Dc |able to wage a successful battle Iagainst the dfsease
 Yesterday afternoon and las1 night he appeared to be gaili- ina. Those at the bedside were greatly encouraged but early lthis morning his heart weak ened, he began to fail rapidly and the last spark of life flick cred out. Those with him 70 lthe end were his brother, Har ry McElrpy of this city, Dr. E. M. Fitzgerald, Fathers Kennedy and Murphy of St. Augustine's church and the nurses.
 1 The news Of his death caused sor-
 
 but in other local. parishes and Catho- l lie circles throughout the state. He had done valiant work for his church and the high dignitaries admired and loved him.
 Was Giant In Intellect 1 Father McEIroy was a man of giant Intellect and of great religious zeal. I He was untiring in his efforts to pro- mote religious education He beliey- 1 ed that children should have a sound | foundation of learning and 1t was his contention that in their early years boys and girls should be instructed in their faith.
 In addition to his insistence upon religious education, Father McEiroy I was a firm believer in good literature, He spent a great deal or money 1n l buying good books and scattered them broadcast where he thought they would be of assistance. 1 During his stay at St. Augustine's, where he was made permanent rec Ltor. Father McElroy endeared himself | to his. parishioners. He always had 4 the interests or the church upper l most in mind and desired that everJ- thing that would add to their com I fort or convenience should be obtaiza- I ed In times of illness or other dis ltress, sparishioners could go to Father l McEIroy with the assurance of find- | ing a syrnpathetic listener who would do his utmost to alleviate trouble He took a keen interest in civic af- l fairs but of course took no active part in poIfticaI matters. Men in various l walks of life with whom he came in I contact were impressed by his grasp of affairs, He was man who gained l and retained the respect of all. I Nearly 62 Years old
 Had he lived until next September, l years old. He was born in New ' ork city in 1852. His parents were Charles and Margaret McElroy. A flew years after his births Father Mc- 1 Elroyss parents moved to this city Ho attended Prospect street school and afterward went. to Days school for boys, which was a well known insti-
 tuition at that period in the city's his-
 tory.
 Even at that early age, the boy had decided he would make the priest hood his career. He entered Niagara university but remained there only Q
 short time when he decided to take a course at St. Charles college, Elii-
 colt City, Md.
 After making fine scholarship trecord at St. Charles, he entered the
 old Troy seminary at Troy, N. Y. lie 1 was ordained in the priesthood at Troy in 1879 by Bishop NcNierney. | one of his school mates was Bishop ] John J. Milan of this. diocese.
 It is a stronge coincidence that shortly after he was ordained Father McElroy celebrated his frst mass at St. Augustine's church, where he waa afterward to be permanent rector. I He was then assigned by Bishop Me
 AIahon to Lakeville-
 His work in Lakeville was So wel
 done that Father McElroy was aoon T CContinued on Page