OBITUARY

Mr. C.V. Randle. Died May 1922

Though it has been known to his friends for some little time that Mr. Charles Vincent Randle, of Ross St. Inverell was seriously ill, the news of his death last night at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr. Michael O'Connor of Vivian Street, was none the less distressing. Deceased was a fine robust man, only 36 years of age, who was a carpenter with the Education Department. Last Christmas time he took ill with an internal complaint that is practically incurable. Six weeks ago he went to Sydney and was operated on but when he returned to Inverell on Thursday last he was far from well. His condition continued to worsen until the end, last night. He was a native of Toowoomba (Q) but had been living in Inverell for some years. He married Ellen, the second daughter of Mr. M. O'Connor, who is now left a young widow with five sons, the oldest of whom is only 9 years, and the youngest 8 months. They are Charles, Henry, Fred, Vincent and William. Deceased's father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Ellen O'Connor, and the following brothers-inlaw all reside in Inverell: Jack, Mick, Tom and Morrie O'Connor. Deceased's mother and a sister (Mrs. Crawford) reside in Toowoomba. Another sister lives in Brisbane and a third sister is a nun, Sister Mary Helen in North Sydney.

Mr. Randle was a steady and reliable worker and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was a splendid specimen of Australian manhood and, prior to his marriage was a noted athlete, winning fame and glory on both football and cricket fields. The most sincere sympathy is expressed with the widow in her bereavement and with the young family who are left without a breadwinner.

The remains will be interred in the Catholic Portion of the local cemetery to-day (Tuesday) at 4 o'clock. The funeral arrangements are in the hands of Mr. C.S. Thorley.

John Moses O'Connor was born at Bundarra 31 July 1879, the oldest of the nine children of Michael O'Connor and Ellen Mary Robinson. He went to Inverell when the family moved there in 1892. On 12 April 1909 he married Emily Matilda Collins from Armidale, they were married in the Sacred Heart Church, Inverell, and it was a very happy day for them 26 years later when their oldest son John Michael, came home from Rome a priest and celebrated Mass for them in that same church. John Michael had been born at Brewarrina where John Moses worked for a time, then the family moved to Sydney and their second son Roderick was born at Forest Lodge. They then returned to Inverell where three more children were born. John Moses opened a saddlery shop and also joined the Inverell Municipal Council where he served for many years. Another proud and happy day for the family was 25 July 1945 when their third son Shane was ordained a priest.

Mr. JOHN MOSES O'CONNOR, of Hillsdale celebrated his 100th birthday on 31 July last. (1979). Son of the late Michael and Ellen O'Connor, he was born at Laura Creek, near Bundarra. At the age of 13 his family moved to Inverell where he lived until 1953 when the family moved to Sydney.

The celebrations were very quiet but Holy Mass was celebrated by his two sons, Monsignor John O'Connor of West Tamworth and Father Shane O'Connor of Barmera (South Australia). Mr. O'Connor was able to be present at the Mass in the Notre Dame Nurses' Home, St. Vincent's Hospital.

After Mass, Monsignor O'Connor presented his father with an apostolic blessing granted by Pope John Paul II. Monsignor O'Connor referred to the gift of a long life granted by God and the gifts of tenacity in the Faith and a keen intellect.

The parish priest, Father John Power called on Mr. O'Connor to offer his own congratulations and he also brought a letter from Cardinal Freeman who referred to God's goodness to Mr. O'Connor in granting him such a long life and in turn, to the praise and glory given to God over all those years by such a good life.

Messages were also received from the Bishop of Armidale, Bishop Henry Kennedy, and the Bishop of Port Pirie, Bishop Bryan Gallagher. Telegrams were received from the Sisters of Mercy at Inverell and Gunnedah (his old teachers). The Parishes of West Tamworth and Barmera sent "spiritual bouquets" to mark the occasion. Mr. O'Connor lives with his son and daughter Rod and Jessie at Hillsdale.

OBITUARY.

"Catholic Weekly". 5 June 1980

Concelebrated Requiem Mass was offered for John Moses O'Connor at the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Pagewood, on Thursday, May 29 (1980). Mr. O'Connor was born at Laura Creek in the Bundarra district on 31 July, 1879. He was the eldest of the nine children born to Michael and Ellen O'Connor. The family moved to Inverell when he was 13 years old. He was educated by the Sisters of Mercy and maintained close contact with them over the years. John O'Connor was an exemplary Catholic and a friend of all priests. Two of his sons are priests, Monsignor John O'Connor of West Tamworth and Father Shane O'Connor of Barmera, S.A. Other children are Roderick and Jessie of Hillsdale. Last year Mr. O'Connor celebrated his 100th Birthday.

The Principal concelebrant of the Requiem Mass was the Bishop of Armidale Bishop Henry Kennedy. Other concelebrants were Bishop William Murray (Wollongong), Bishop Peter De Campo (Coadjutor of Port Pirie), Monsignor John O'Connor and Father Shane O'Connor, Fathers John Haseler, Victor Doyle, Edward Shepherd, Bruce McPherson, Ronald Perrett and Edmond Travers M.S.C. Father John Power P.P. was master of ceremonies and read the prayers at the graveside.