New Britain herald., 1927-03-30
PAY LAST TRIBUTE
TO AUTO Victims
Thousands at Services in Local
and Bristol Churches
THREE ARE LAID At REST
Obscquies for James j. WEIGH,
James II. Riley, Jr.. and Edward
J, shcehy Held Today 49, Mrs.
Shcchy Reported Critically Ill.


Twice today St. Mary's church
was filled 10 capacity as thousands
laid aside their tasks to pay tribute
TO the memory OF two Of Mondays
automobile accident victims. James
J. WEIGH OF &c Harrison street and
James II. Riley, Jr, Of 81 South
Burrltt street, whose funerals were
held this morning.
At . o'clock the remains OF Mr.
WEIGH were borne into the church
as escorts representing the Y. NJ.
I. A. & p. society, New Britain
Lodge of Elks and the Fourth De-
gree knights OF Columbus stood
with heads bowed. At u o'clock
the Riley ohsaqlics took place wit
similar escorts. At both masses.
crowds stood in the vcstibule of the
church after every available seat
had been taken.
More than 100 automobiles were
in the funeral cortcgcs from the
homes of the victims in the western
section OF the city to the church.
At $50 o'clock friends of Mr.. WEIGH
began to leave the family home and
shortly after 9 o'clock they were
seated in the church. AS the body
was being borne into the church.
ST. Mary's quartet, consisting Of
Mru VI a
John Connolly. alto; Fred Desros-
icrs, tenor and James V. Sullivan.
bass; assisted by Joseph 4. Haffey.
James d. Donohue and John Jack
son. rendered Lead Kindly Light"
At the oltertory trio consisting of
Mrs. Cream. Mr.. Desrosiers and Mr..
Donohue rendered "Jesu Del Eivi"
At the conclusion OF the services,
Mrs. Cream sang Jesus, Keep Me
Close to Thee and as the remains
were being borne from the cdifco
the quartet sang, Nearer My God
to Thee" This program was re-
pcatcd at Mr.. Riley's funeral.
Five brothers and nephew of
the funeral. They were Martin
Welch, Sr.. Peter and Luke WEIGH
Of this city, Thomas WEIGH Of Hart
ford and John WEIGH of Chicago.
brothers. and John j. Walsh.
nephew. The flower bearers were
Martin Welch, Jr, Edward Dono-
hue, Thomas Crowley. and William
A. Mechan.
Rev. Walter A. McCrann cclebrat-
ed a solemn high mass OF requiem
and was assisted by Rev Walter j.
Lyddy, deacon; Rev. Thomas Lawlor.
sub deacon. and Rev, William +.
Downey of st. Thomas seminary.
Hartford, master of ceremonies.
The sidewalks were crowded from
the church steps to the curbs by a
hats removed while the casket was
being taken down the steps to the
hearse and they remained in their
places us the hearse bearing the re-
mains OF Mr.. Wclch moved away to
ST. Mary's cemetery and the hearse
carrying the body of Mr. Riley
moved to the front of the church.
AS the casket was being borne into
the church and rested on the pedes-
tai prepared for it, the voices Of the
quartet were heard for the second
time as they blended into the hymn.
Lead Kindly Light"
The pastor of st. Mary's church,
Rev. Matthew ]. Traynor. the ccle-
hrant; Rev. Father Eugene (Scra-
phine) professor at st. Bonaventure
college. deacon; Rev. Walter J..
Lyddy, sub deacon; and Rev. Walter
4. McCrann. master OF ceremonies.
entered the sanctuary while the con-
gregation rose. Numbered among
the gathering were Mr.. Riley's
traternal associates, business and
lifelong friends.
During the services the crowd ap-
pearcd greatly moved and when Mrs.
Cream sang the occasional there did
not appear to be any present who
did not give way to their grief.
The following were pail bearers:
John Riley. Thomas Devinc, VIII
liam Forsyth. James Murphy. George
Kane and Harry Raising. The flower
bearers were John Dudack, George
KERN, James Kelly and James Daley
Seated in the sanctuary during
both masses were Rev. Thomas J.
Laden of the church Of St. John the
Evangelist. Rev. Edward V. Grikis.
pastor OF st. Andrews. and Rev.