Obits: Murray, John December 30, 1936 *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Mayo Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: Thomas Sadler timeprosv@charter.net February 5, 2009, 12:20 pm MURRAY, JOHN DECEMBER 30, 1936 Ballina or Mayo Newspaper, Feb. 1937 Quote: DIED IN CHICAGO REMAINS BURIED IN ATTYMASS Six weeks ago, John Murray, a native of Carrowdoogan, Attymass, Co. Mayo died in Chicago, U.S.A. at the age of 55. On Wednesday night of last week, his reamins enclosed in a beautiful casket, which in turn, was encased in a magnificent frame, arrived in Ballina railway station to be received by his sorrowing widow, children and relatives. It had been Mrs. Murray's wish that her husband's remains should be interred in Kileen cemetery, the family burial ground and in accordance with this wish, the body was embalmed immediately after death, placed in a casket, the interior of which was sealed with lead and the casket then placed in an oaken case, eight feet long. It was then dispatched to Ireland via a White Star liner. The widow of the deceased whose maiden name was Kneafsey, of Carrowkerribly, has been living on her farm in Carrowdoogan, Attymass for some years with her two children, while her husband, up to his death worked in Chicago. CROWD AWAIT REMAINS A large throng of people awaited the arrival of the remains at Ballina railway station, and, as the remains were conveyed from the train to the hearse, crowds pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the casket. The funeral which left Ballina for Attymass Church was one of the largest witnessed in the town for many years. THE CASKET OPENED At Attymass Chapel the widow, her two children and sisters (Mrs. King, Killala Road, Culleens, Mrs. Barrett, and Mrs. Gallagher, Attymass, Mrs. Loftus, (Castleconnor) were permitted to view the corpse. The oak case and casket were opened by Mr. P. Melody, the undertaker, and the face of the deceased lay revealed. Although dead for several weeks, the body, owing to the perfect embalming, did not appear wasted, the countenance resembling that of a sleeping man rather than a dead person. Following High Mass de Requiem at Attymass Church on Thursday morning, the remains were borne to Killeen cemetery on the shoulders of young men of the parish of Attymass who were wearing white sashes. Rev. Father Jordan officiated at the graveside, reading the last prayers. The funeral was the largest witnessed in the parish for many years, over thirty cars followed the hearse. The transportation of the remains from Chicago cost over 100 pounds. END QUOTE At the time of his death John had two living children Winifred and John and a deceased daughter Veronica who died in 1935 at age 11. Following Death Notice appeared in the Chicago Tribune, 1 January 1937, p. 22 MURRAY--John J. Murray of 4448 N. Racine avenue, beloved husband of Beatrice (nee Kneasy), fond father of Winifred, John, the late Veronica, uncle of Parick Barrett and Mary Sadler, Native of Attymass, Co. Mayo, Visitation at the chapel 1716 W. 63rd Street. Additional Comments: The above newspaper clipping was found in the personal papers of my Mother, Mary Agnes (Barrett) Sadler. Her Uncle John Murray was a very special person in her life. He registered her birth of 12 November 1909, in January 1910 at Ballina. He was also her sponsor and mentor when she immigrated to the U.S., Chicago, at age 17 in 1926. John was Baptised on 25 May 1888, in the parish of Attymass. Sponsors were Pat Naughton and Mary Ferguson. Source: North Mayo Family History Center. John immigrated to the U.S. on 9 June 1912, from Queenstown, aboard the S.S. Lusiania arriving in the port of New York on 15 June 1912. He was enroute to his sister Mary Murray who was living in Evanston, Illinois. John moved to Chicago and worked there. He registered for the World War I Draft on 5 June 1917. At the time of this registration John was an Elevator Starter at the Drake Hotel. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1918 and served in France from August, 1918 to June 1919, when he was discharged. He became a U.S. citizen while serving at Camp McClellan, Alabama. John applied for a U.S. Passport on 15 March 1920, for the purpose of returning to see his Mother Bridget Murray, Carrowdoogan. He sailed onboard the S.S. Boratina on 15 May 1920. He subsequently married Beatrice Kneafsey, Carrowikerribly, Mayo, in early 1923. He and his wife returned to the U.S. aboard the S.S. Carmania in September, 1923. They went onto Chicago where they lived. John stayed and worked in Chicago while his wife returned to Ireland to live on a farm they purchased and raise their children.