Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Dowling, Thomas, Rev. July 8, 1909
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 May 6, 2022, 2:47 pm

Virginian-Pilot  July 13, 1909
MOURN DEATH OF FATHER DOWLING

GREAT CONCOURSE OF SORROWING FRIENDS ATTENDED FUNERAL

DISTINGUISHED CLERGY PARTICIPATED IN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY OVER REMAINS OF POPULAR 
YOUNG CATHOLIC PRIEST

With solemn and impressive ceremonies, and in the presence of a large concourse of 
sorrowing friends, including distinguished clergy of the diocese, funeral services 
over the body of the Rev. Father Thomas Dowling, assistant pastor of the Church of 
the Sacred Heart, who died while bathing at Cape Henry last Thursday afternoon, 
were held in the Church of the Sacred Heart yesterday morning at 10 o'clock.

Solemn requiem mass was said for the dead priest, whose tragic death cast a gloom 
over the parish with which he was identified and in which he had, in a short time, 
won and merited the love of all with whom he had come into contact.  Beautiful 
floral designs were sent by friends, some of whom had accompanied the young priest 
on the outing which ended in the fatality.

Prominent among the floral tributes were numerous Bermuda lilies, emblems of 
purity, with which the casket was covered.  The St. Francis De Sales congregation 
of Lambert's Point, sent a large floral lyre, and a large wreath was the tribute 
from the choir of the Sacred Heart Church.

Prior to the celebration of the mass, the twenty or more priests in attendance 
chanted the office, and later at the graveside, chanted the benediction.

The musical numbers of the mass were rendered by members of the choirs of the 
Sacred Heart and St. Mary's churches, directed by Mr. E. J. Doran, and at the 
close of the mass, Mr. Vincent Smith impressively sang, "Blessed is he who cometh 
in the name of the Lord."

The Rt. Rev. A. Van de Vyver, of Richmond, bishop of this diocese, was the 
celebrant of the mass.  The deacon was Rev. Martin J. Haire, assistant rector of 
St. Paul's, Portsmouth, with whom Father Dowling came to America from Ireland less 
than a year ago.  The other officiating priests were Rev. James Gilsenan, of 
Richmond, sub-deacon; the Rev. J. B. O'Reilley, of Richmond, arch-priest; the Rev. 
John Doherty, of Norfolk, and the Rev. Thomas Wilson, of Old Point, deacons of 
honor, and the Rev. Edward Walsh, of Norfolk, master of ceremonies.

The priests in attendance upon the funeral, many of whom occupied seats within the 
chancel, included Rev. Richard Drake, Sacred Heart Church, Norfolk; Rev. Henry 
Cutler, of Alexandria; Rev. Joseph Frioli, of Newport News; Rev. Frederick Lucke, 
of Newport News; Rev. Edward Meyer, of Richmond; Rev. Father John, St. Mary's, 
Richmond; Rev Patrick Donion, Manassas; Rev. Michael Ahern, of Old Point Comfort 
College; Rev. Fathers Smith and Gleason, of St. Vincent's Hospital; Rev. James 
Collins, Harper's Ferry; Rev. William O'Hara, of Keyser; Rev. Timothy Clowe, of 
Charlottesville; Rev. Frederick Lackey, of Fort Meyer, Va.; Rev. Father Houlihan, 
of Norfolk; Rev. Father Kelleher, Of Norfolk; Rev. James Brennan, of Falls Church, 
Va.; Rev. Father Delaney, of Portsmouth.

Bishop Van de Vyver pronounced the absolution and Rev. Father Haire, of 
Portsmouth, conducted the burial services at the grave.

At the conclusion of the services in the church, the body, followed by a large 
cortege, was conveyed to St. Mary's Cemetery, where the interment took place.  The 
following gentlemen were the pallbearers: Messrs. Joseph D. McCarrick, A. F. 
Smith, John Ward, Herbert Johnson, Thomas Hogan, George Twohy, H. M. McCartney and 
James D. Duffy.

Father Dowling, who was 27 years of age, was laid to rest in the vestments of the 
priesthood, which he had worn while conducting services in the Church of the 
Sacred Heart, of which he had been assistant pastor since October last.

Shortly after his ordination, in Ireland, June 24, 1908, he came to America.  He 
was educated at Ennis College and All Hallows', Dublin.  He was a native of County 
Clare, Ireland, where his parents and several brothers and sisters, who have been 
notified of his death, reside.



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