The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-08
People Of Perish
 Mourn For Pastor
(Continued from Page D

---&--- -~----- at St Francis Xavier's church by local and visiting clergymen.
 Father Egan had been i'll at intervals during the past several years but his death last night came as shock to the parish, the com muEity, and the diocese. Surviv- ing him are two brothers, Charles of New Haven, and Dr Daniel Egan of San Francisco; three sis- terg, Misses Mary and Anna Egan of New Haven, and Mrs John Don ovan of Meriden; and several nephews and nieces, one of the lat ter, Miss Florence Egan, acting as housekeeper at St Francis Xavier's rectory.
 A special meeting of the Holy Name society of the church has been called for 8 o'clock tonight to take action of Father Egan's at Xaverian hall on Washington street.
 Kim City Native
 Rev. James J.l Egan was born at New Haven, the son of the late Daniel and Margaret McKeever Egan. After a public school ed- ucation, he enrolled at New Haven high school, where his intellectual ability first began to be the sub- ject of comment. To Maryland he went next, there to attend St. Charles college, after which he en- rolled at Niagara university, there to complete his collegiate educa- tion. The next scene of his educa- tional labors was Montreal, where Il .4, a priesthood, toward which goal he Grand Seminary in Montreal, where came scholars from ali over North America, this quiet, studious youth from Connecticut amazed all by his quick percep~ ton, his scintillating brilliance, and the sturdy constancy of his
 Ordained In 1890
 The first great milestone of his life was passed on Dec. goth, 1890, when he was elevated to the priest hood. Priests were scant in num- Der in the Hartford diocese in those years, but the newly ordain- ed young priest was honored by appointment, during his early JCdA0 0O eh pbANoSt tO HOoND ~As ~"-~ pOrtant parishes. He served at St. Patrick's church, New Haven. St. Patrick's in Hartford, and the Sacred Heart church in this city. All through these years he was earning Q reputation as one of the most brilliant as well as one of the most eloquent priests in the state.
 Public appreciation of Father Egafl's eloquence is brought out in an anecdote related in The Ca- tholic Church in Connecticut, by Right Reverend Thomas s. Duggan. D. b. Thirty-five years ago. it re- lates, one of the curates of St. Jos eph's cathedral, Hartford, was on sick call. On leaving the sick room he could not help but over- hear several remarks. Let me tell you that if you go down to St. Patricks and have the good for tune to see Father Egan go into the pulpit. you will hear fine ser mon."
 Made Pastor In 1907
 Tn 1907, Father Egan was named pastor of the church of St. Fran cis Xavier, New Milford, where he succeeded Rev. Jeremiah Curtin, the latter coming to Waterbury as pastor of St. Francis Xavier church here. For 10 years Father Egan miriistered to his flock at New Mill ford, besides being in charge .of missions at Roxbury and Wash ington.
 Came July of 1917 and Father Egan was named to the pastorate of St. Xavier church here, succeed ing again to a post of Father Cur I tins. It was a great advance ment, but 1t brought with 1t many problems. Father Curtin had foi years been not only one of the most popular priests in the city but fin the diocese. To fill his shoes would be no easy task. It needed only a few years foi Father Egan to show that he could win admiration and praise in hii | own right. He carried on where rather Curtin left off, in keeping | the church of St. Francis Xavier 1 as not only one { of the mos, important but also one 0f thu ! most active churcfies in the bio 1 ceee of Hartford. st.s. g Popularity Appreciated
 Every conceivable branch ol parish. activity expanded Ant fioi;r.s'srd urS-r Tnshcr Ea n