Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
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Articles
The Western Chronicle. Friday 19 Jan 1912
Page 6 Column 2
ILMINSTER.
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DEATH AND FUNERAL OF REV R. FINNERTY.
It was with unfeigned regret and sorrow that the members of the Unitarian Church and the townsfolk generally heard of the death of the Rev R. FINNERTY on Thursday evening at the age of 44. The rev gentleman had been ill only a few months, but from the first there appeared to be but little hope of his final recovery. During his five years' pastorate he had endeared himself to his church, among the members of which he was generally beloved. His ministry was much appreciated, and the branches of church work had in him a good organizer and popular leader. A strong believer in the recreative side he was at the head of a very successful and well-established Hockey Club. Among his fellow townsmen he was much respected, having taken a lively interest in the local institutions and was the secretary of the town Cricket Club for at least one season, chaplain of Rifle[?] Club, chairman of Cycle Club, and hon. Member of Oddfellows. He was a doughty champion of the faith that was in him and could wield the pen successfully in setting forth the religious principles held by his church when these were assailed by others. In politics he was an ardent and consistent liberal, and in the recent contests rendered valuable help. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs FINNERTY and the two little fatherless children. The late Mr FINNERTY was formerly a Roman Catholic priest, and the change in his religious convictions, which led to the Unitarian pastorate, was the result of deep convictions before the step was taken to leave the church of earlier days and family.
The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, amid many signs of sorrow and sympathy. The chief mourner was Mrs FINNERTY (widow), and among the members of the church present were Col. M. L. BLAKE, Mr ROB, Mrs and Miss BLAKE, Mr Harvey BLAKE and Miss M. BLAKE, Mrs CONWAY, Mr M. B. BAKER and Miss BAKER, Mr R. P. WHEADON, Mr A. and Miss HUTCHINGS, Mr G. M. LAWRENCE, Mr W. RELLEEN, Mr G.W. HUNT, Revs. R. V. DAVIS and W. B. MATTHEWS (Unitarian Ministers), the Sunday School, Bible Class, etc. Among the general public were Revs. Preb. STREET, A. P. ALLAN (Church of England), W. J. GADSBY (Congregational), F. A. TOMLINSON (Wesleyan), Messrs J. S. PRENTICE, J.P., S. ROWE, W. STRADLING, G. F. SHARP, H. M. HEXT, F. VENTON, G. W. RUOFF, Messrs B. NORTON and S. BAKER (Oddfellows' Regalia), S. G. COX (Messrs Yandle & Sons). A large concourse of townsfolk were reverent spectators, and the blinds of residents along the route from the rev. gentleman's residence to the Cemetery were lowered as a mark of respect. But for the unpropitious weather doubtless there would have been a much larger attendance of townsmen. The service in the chapel and at the graveside was impressively conducted by the Rev. E. PARRY, B.A., a former minister. Mr R. P. WHEADON (Messrs Wheadon & Son., Ltd.), ably carried out the duties of undertaker, while the coffin of oak, with brass fittings, was made by Mr W. A. HUTCHINGS. The coffin was borne by eight gentlemen of the congregation:- Messrs W. CASTLE, J. CLAPP[?], F. E. DANIELS, H. J. HUTCHINGS, V. G. HUTCHINGS, S. HALLETT, A. PRESS and W. E. RELLEEN.
Among the beautiful floral tributes were wreaths from Mrs FINNERTY (widow), Col. BLAKE, Mr and Mrs R. F. BLAKE and family, Mr and Mrs R. P. WHEADON and family, Mrs CONWAY, Unitarian Church, Sunday School and Bible Class, Mrs RELLEEN and children, Cycling Club, Hockey Club, etc.
At the Sunday services, conducted by Mr W. STRADLING, B.A. (Camb.), sympathetic references were made to the passing away of the pastor of the church by the preacher.
The memorial services will be conducted on Sunday next by Rev. E. C. PIKE, of Bridgwater.