New Britain herald., 1916-02-07
WEATHER REAGAN
 DIES IN NEW HAVEN
Was Curate at St. Mary's Church
 for Eight Years

III bat week With pneumonia and erysipelas, Rev. Michael L. Reagan, formerly curate at St. Mary's church ill this city, died Saturday night at St. RaphaeIs hospital in New Haven.
 Although Father Reagan was one of Connecticut's younger priests, being but thirty eight years old, he was one of the best known and most successful clergymen in this state and was ad- mired by many. Tn this city, where he spent the most active years of his life as priest, he was loved by all of his parishiOnerS and in East Haven, where he, by his own efforts, built up a strong parish, he also leaves a large following who will mourn his death.
 Ordained in Italy in 1906.
 Father Reagan was a native of New London, being born there in 1878. He received his elementary education in the public schools of his home town and was graduated from Buckley High school in that place. Deter mined to enter the priesthood, Father Reagan studied theology and com pleted his theological training at Dia- cenZa, Italy. He was formally or dained there on September 8, 1906, by the late Bishop Scaldadrini.
 Leaves New Britain in 1914
 Nine years ago last month, in 1907, Father Reagan was assigned to St. Mary's parish in New Britain where, because of his command of the Ital- ian tongue, he was placed in charge of the Italian mission. He took great interest in his church work and it was due to his efforts that the Italian masses were introduced, in which the services are in the Italian tongue.
 After being in this city for eight years during which time the bishop of the diocese noticed his diligent work and the results he was obtaining in the Italian mission he was assigned to East Haven. There was no church there at the time, but Father Reagan succeeded in organizing a strong par ish, that of St Vincent de Paul. He took charge on October 16, 1914. At the time Of his death Father Reagan was working on plans for the erection of a new rectory in East Haven.
 A special solemn mass of requiem was celebrated at St. Marys at 7:3O o'clock this morning for the repose of Father Reagans soul.
 Unusual honors will be paid Father Reagan. The body, yesterday, lay in state in the little church, whose first pastor he was, until o'clock this morning. A guard of honor, consist ing of members of the Holy Name sO- cety of the church watched the body during the night. Mass was celebrated at 8 o'clock this morning at the little edifice in order that all his parishion- CTS might be present.
 The chapel being far too inadequate
 4l,1> fr-{n the dead pastor, a second mass was said at St Francis church at 10 o'clock It was felt that many out-of- town friends and relatives and priests from all parts of the diocese who loved and admired Father Reagan and wish to pay him. tribute in death, would find it inconvenient to attend the first mass so early as 8 o'clock, so the sec ond solemn requiem high mass was arranged by the bishop. The funeral mass tomorrow morning will be cele- brated by Rev. John T. Winters, of St. Mary's church, this city at 10 o'clock in St. Francis church, Fair Haven
 The sermon will be preached by Rev. Henry Cassidy, of St. Roses church, New Haven, a college mate of the dead priest at Niagara university. All the priests of the Roman Catholic church. es of New Haven will chant the office of the dead at 7:30 o'clock this eve ming at the church where the body is to lie in state. Interment will be in New London, the train leaving New Haven at 12:05 o'clock.
 Father Reagan was a member of John Barry assembly, fourth degree, Knights of Columbus, and the degree will send a special delegation, as guard of honor, to the funeral. Delegates will wear high silk hats and baldric and swords
 Father Reagan is survived by four brothers, David M., Thomas P, James F., and Cornelius, and two sis 1 ters, Nellie and Catherine Reagan. l Cornelius Reagan is studying for the l at Niagara university