Evening star., 1946-09-30

! man who loved to entertain with
his gift of song and wit, was buried
today at Mount Olivet Cemetery
after one of the biggest funerals
for a private citizen in Washington
history.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral
on Rhode Island avenue near Con-
necticut avenue NV. which seats
$500, had most of its seats occupied
with scores standing in the back
as the Rev Joseph Moran, pastor
of st. Thomas Church, Mr. O'Con-
nors parish. said the funeral mass.
Chief Justice VinSon, a close
personal friend, was among the
throng. Commissioners John Rus
sell Young, Guy Mason and Gen.
Gordon R. Young represented the
municipality. Maj. Harvey G., CAL
lahan headed a delegation from the
Metropolitan Police, of which Mr..
O'Connor was an honorary member.
Robert v. Fleming, president of
the Riggs National Bank, was
among the many businessmen
present in the pews for the honor
ary pallbearers.
The Right Rev. Lawrence J. She
han, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore
and Washington, said the prayers
for the deceased in Latin and Eng
lish before the bier and then de-
parted from custom by saying:
Eulogy Omitted.
"At the earnest request of the
family, there will be no eulogy. But
I feel that in the name of the
Most Revered Archbishop CMichael
j. Curley of Baltimore) and all the
priests of the diocese that I must
offer our sencere coincidence to this
family for their sudden and severe
| loss.
In his passing Washington loses
its best beloved and most popular
private citizen and the church
mourns the passing of one of her
most devoted sons"
| Bishop Shehan spoke of Mr.
O'Connor's firm spirit, generous
heart and constant humor" and said
that he had ready wit which
brought JOY to many but never
hurt any man"
The bishop then said that the
deceased, for the sake of his family
had resisted all temptation to GO
on the stage which would have
given great satisfaction to one of his
temperament with the possibility OF
great monetary reward" He con-
tinued, They Chis family will
treasure the memory of that devo-
ton which kept him close to them
through life"
He concluded by telling that the
deceased, despite the press of bust
ness, often used to spend moment
OF silent prayer in the church and
that now he has joyfully and
without fear gone before the judg-
ment seat of his Maker"
q Priests at Service.
Twenty-seven priests knelt behind
the chancel rail in the simple
ceremony.
Several contemporaries of Mr.
O'Connor were weeping as the biel
was wheeled out of the church
Several women were weeping also.
1T is unusual for this church tc
I'LL up like this for a funeral" SAID
one of the older men on the way
out.
The sun had come out when the
funeral party left the church fol
private burial services at Mount
Olivet Cemetery. The men gath.
cred in knots on the sidewalk a!
, after mass on Sunday and talked
about George O'Connor.
Chief Justice Vinson went to tn,
graveSide with the family wher,
Father Moran read the brief service
Throngs Attend Wake.
Over the week end the throng.
coming to Mr.. O'Connor's wake hac
kept the $500 block of Cleveland
avenue NV, where he lived, re.
stricted from parking with specia
police on duty. Last night the HOLY
Name Society of st. Thomas Church
came in body at o'clock, tn,
Knights of Columbus at $50 o'clocl
and the Manresa Retreat group
which he had headed for years, a
I9 o'clock, and all the while thos,
who came individually to pay thei1
last respects added to the numbers
Message From Truman.
i President Truman sent a letter tx
the family. Telegraph boys wer,
arriving with messages from all ovel
the country.
Senators, generals, admirals, new
correspondents, lawyers and Govern.