Obituaries Australia

One of the best-known and respected residents of Mentone, in the person of Mr. Hugh O'Brien Sheeran, Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and Assistant Chief Engineer for Railways, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday morning, 24th February. Mr. Sheeran was apparently in splendid health up to the time of his death, although, a few intimate friends knew that, having taken medical advice some time ago, and having been warned that he was suffering from a serious heart-ailment, he had put all his affairs, both spiritual and temporal in order, so that death, should it come swiftly, would not find him unprepared. He lived an exemplary life, being devoted to his church and his home, while his reserved but genial nature, his high intellectual gifts, combined with rare modesty and tact, won golden opinions both among his business associates, and his large circle of acquaintances. The funeral was private, but a large congregation attended the Requiem Mass, "praesente cadavere," celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, Mentone, by the Rev. T. F. O'Sullivan, P.P., assisted on the Sanctuary by Rev. J. Lee, and Rev. W. Berntsen. A large bodyguard of Railwaymen met the procession at the cemetery gates, to pay their last respects to one who had been to them, a mate as well as a chief. Among the pall-bearers were Mr. C. E. Norman, Railway Commissioner, personal friend of the late Mr. Sheeran, Mr. M. E. Curnot, Chief-Engineer of Railway Construction, Mr. T. Lynch, representing Mr. Barnes, Minister for Railways, and Mr. C. Westcott, Railway Construction Branch. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Rose Brothers, Cheltenham. Mr. Sheeran, who was 56 years of age, leaves a widow, one son, Leslie, and two daughters, Monica and Olive, to mourn their loss. Deceased was a brother of Mrs. Gardiner, of North Fitzroy. R.I.P.