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Thomas Cosgrove (1821–1871)

It is with deep and unfeigned regret that I record the death of Mr. Thomas Cosgrove, which took place on Friday afternoon, the 3rd instant, after a very few day's illness. On Sunday previously, he, I, and another friend had a long walk through the bush, after dinner, and he appeared as joyous and hearty as ever, being full of fun and frolic which may be said to have been his invariable mood, when business was done. Up to Wednesday evening, the 1st, he attended to his ordinary duties. On Thursday his brother-in-law, Mr. Freehill, saw him, and he immediately went for the Rev. John Kenny, who anointed him that night. Father Kenny was again with him during his last moments, and he, being quite conscious, made the responses to the last prayers in a clear, fervent, edifying tone. All that tender care and medical skill could do, was done for him, but alas, without avail.

Mr. Cosgrove was a resident of the Shore for nearly twenty years, and was very much and deservedly respected by all classes. He was a member of the Local Board of the Catholic school since 1862, and in 1867 he was elected an Alderman for the borough of St. Leonards. He was a kind employer; most of his men never left him except to set up in business for themselves. He was a true friend to sober, industrious men by helping them over their difficulties. His manners were plain and unassuming and he was always averse to strife, feud, or displays of any kind that tended to create ill-will amongst neighbours. Often he recounted the evils of party displays in the county of Cavan (his birth place) and in other parts of the North of Ireland. He was a zealous Catholic and was foremost in every movement connected with religion and education, sparing neither his purse nor his time. Indeed every charity had his unostentatious assistance, and the mourning for him amongst old and young— the tears of the aged and the sobs of the young — betokened a sorrow which is seldom so general for a man in the station of life he occupied. His remains were conveyed to the church on Saturday morning, and at 9 o'clock Father Kenny celebrated a Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul. The funeral took place in the afternoon and was attended by all who could get away from business. On alluding to his death at both Masses on Sunday Father Kenny was very much affected, and enlarged upon the hopeful dying sentiments of the deceased of whose life, to use a common expression, 'a long lease might be taken' last week. He spoke of the uncertainty of life in the midst of which we are in death, and reminded his flock of the warning of St. Luke-: 'Be you then also ready; for at what hour you think not, the Son of Man will come.' May his soul, rest in peace.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Cosgrove, Thomas (1821–1871)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/cosgrove-thomas-16945/text28829, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1821
Cavan, Ireland

Death

3 November, 1871 (aged ~ 50)
North Shore, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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