New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-21
REV. v. ]. DO0LAN
called BY death
Soathington Priest Took Active
Put in Commumy's Lille
Especial to the Herald)


Southington, Jan. 81 - Rev. Will
liam ]. Doolan. for IS years pastor
of st. Thomas church and one Of
the Oldest priests In the Hartford
diocese, died Saturday night at III
o'clock at the rectory on Bristol
street following an illness of several
years duration. He was said to be
So years old. He had been ailing for
a number of years with complica-
tions which included cataracts on
both eyes but despite this. he said
daily mass until week ago Friday
when his condition prevented him
from leaving the priest house.
Father Doolan was born in Kill
finnane, County Limerick. ireland
and came to this country when a
boy. He received his early educa-
ton in the New Haven schools and.
after deciding to prepare for the
priesthood, he entered st. Charles
college. Maryland. He completed his
theological course at st. Joseph's
seminary in Troy. N. Y. He was or
dained a priest there on December
IS, 1880. In two years he would
have celebrated the golden jubilee
of his ordination.
His first assignments were to An
sonia and Meriden as assistant pas
tor. Later he held patorates in
Cornwall and Manchester. coming to
southington IS years ago.
Several months ago. he was re-
ileved of active charge of the bust
ness affairs of the church owing to
his ill health and Rev. Robert Leo
Christopher, assistant pastor, has
been administrator since that time.
Leaves Property to Church
Father Doolan has no surviving
relatives He is the last of his line
and extensive real estate holdings
which he had in Southington have
all been left to the church over
which he held sway for such a long
period.
During his lengthy ministry in
Southington, he grew to be one of
the towns most respected citizens.
He was an especially close friend
OF former Governor Marcus H. Hol-
comb. He was revered and loved by
his own parishioners for his kindly
ministrations.
He was influential in building st.
Thomas Community home, an i'm
posing structure on Main street for
merly known as the Y. NJ. T. A. &
B. society building. A few years ago,
when the town met with the diff
Guilty of selecting suitable site for
a new school. Father Doolan pre-
scented 1t with valuable parcel of
land at the corner of Main street
and Old Turnpike Road and as a
mark Of esteem for his friendship
with the former governor, the
school was named the Holcomb
school.
He was 40 years priest and had
observed his anniversary quietly at
the rectory OF December IS, 1928.
Body Lying In State
At $3.50 O'Clock this afternoon. his
body will be taken to the church
where. before the main altar. 1t will
lie In state for the Pensioners and
townspeople to view 1t. The men OF
the parish at meeting last night,
made plans to form a guard of hon.
or to stand watch over the body
from the moment It is placed in the
church until the funeral.
Funeral services will be held to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Bishop John J. Milan. former school
mate and close friend, will celebrate
a pontifical requiem mass. He will
be assisted by. Rev. Joseph Mccarthy
of st. Thomas seminary. Deacons
of honor will be Rev. Father Fitz-
maurice of Fair Haven and Rev.
John j. Fitzgerald of the Sacred
Heart church, Waterbury.
Deacons of the mass will be as
follows: Rev. John Kennedy of Mys-
tic, a native of Southington: Rev.
John Sullivan of Moodus Rev. Wal
ter J. Lyddy of New Britain, Rev.
Jeremiah McAuliffe of Beacon Falls
and Rev. Henry Coleman of New
Haven, all former curates at the