New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-10-07
Pastor Of Catholic Church Loses
Long Fight With Death
VETERAN IN LOCAL SERVICE

rev henry L. Walsh, pastor OF the
Church Of Our Lady of Mercy, died
shortly after noon Sunday, following
a long illness. Father Walsh had not
enjoyed his customary good health
since fracturing his hip a few years
ago. He was unable to be about un-
til few months ago, when he had to
take to the bed again. Prayers were
offered in Catholic churches on Sun
day for his speedy recovery or the
Grace of happy death. Mrs. M. D.
Molumphy of Ansonia a sister of
Father Walsh, was present at the
bedside when the end came. His
other sister, Mrs. Mary Conklin of
Ansonia, is now i'll with influenza.
Members of the household and priests
were also present.
The death of Father Walsh removes
one of the most highly esteemed
priests of the diocese of Hartford and
one of the foremost citizens of Plain
Vile. Among the priests Of Hartford
diocese he was highly esteemed on &C
count of his scholarly attainments
and his very pleasant disposition. Re-
CARELESS of religious belief Father
Walsh was most highly respected by
the toWnSpeOple of Plainville. For
80 years he served as a member of
the town school board. He was fire.
quently sought for counsel on public
and private matters and his advice
was usually followed.
Father Walsh leaves two sisters,
Mrs. Mark Conklin and Mrs. NJ D.
Molumphy, also several nieces and
nephews
The body of Father Walsh will lie
in state in the church from 5 o'clock
tonight until 10 o'clock Wednesday
morning. At 1920 Wednesday morn
ing, a solemn high requiem mass will
be sung, Rev. Thomas Keenan, off,
ciating. He will be assisted by Rev.
William Billiard as deacon and Rev.
B. j. McGurk as sub-deacon. Rev.
William P. Kennedy will conduct the
services at the cemetery. The eulogy
will be given by Rev. William Rogers
of Hartford.
A special meeting of the Holy Name
society of the church will be held to-
night at $50 to make preparations for
taking part in the funeral exercises.
Special prayer services will be held
at - o'clock tonight in the church,
and again at o'clock in the morning.
Rev. Henry Thomas Walsh was
born at Ansonia, June 1, 1855, his
father being Matthew Walsh, a ma
tive of Ireland, who came to this
country in 1914 and settled in An
sonia. Father Walshs mother was
Mary McCabe. Mr.. Walsh was a
stone mason and for many years was
in the contracting business He died
in 1892. Father Walsh's mother
died in 1897.
Father Walsh attended the town
school in Ansonia and at the age of
ID years entered Holy Cross college
at Worcester, Mass. Father Walsh
left Holy Gross to pursue his studies
at Niagara University at Suspension
Bridge, n. Y, and completed his
classical studies there in 1875. Faith
er Walsh was a prominent figure in
the Niagara alumni. He continued
his philosophical and theological
studies at Niagara and was ordained
to the priesthood in 1878. AS a priest,
Father WalSh'S first clerical service
was at Thompsonville, where he was
an assistant to Rev. Thomas Smith at
st. Patrick's church. He was trans
ferred after four months to St.
Johns church at Stamford and was
assistant to Rev. William III. Rogers,
now pastor of st. Patrick's church at
there for six years and in February,
1885, was appointed to the pastorate
OF the Church of Our Lady of Mercy
at Plainville At that time the parish
included Pennington and Forestville
as missions Pennington still con-
tinues as a mission of the parish. The
ForestVille parish was set aide In
1891, and made part of the Bristol
parish.
Since becoming pastor of Our Lady
of Mercy parish Father Walsh erected
q substantial rectory. which stands
at the corner of Broad and Canal
streets. He acquired q large acreage
of land on Pennington avenue in
1887 for Il cemetery. While Forest
willie was part of his parish he directed
the erection of st. Matthews church
in that town The church was built
at q cost of SIS, 900.
Father Walsh was 4. member of the
school board OF the town of PlalnVille
for nearly 80 years. Early in his
passionate at PlainVille he was recOg
nized as one who would be of value
to the community on the school board
and he was selected. Because of his
deep interest in educational matters
7 he was the active school visitor and
for many years practically directed
the education in the public schools
of the community.
Father Walsh advocated the estab
Iishment of a public library in Plain
vile for many years and finally in
1896 saw the realization of his wish.
When the Free Public Library was
established he was elected to the
board of directors.
Liberty Loan Now $122, 200.
Substantial advances were made by
the Fourth Liberty Loan Campaigners
during the Weekend with the result
that the total of subscriptions today
amounted TO 1922 700 IT is the hone