The Catholic Advocate/1915/Late Mr. Michael O'Malley

LATE MR. MICHAEL O'MALLEY.

DEATH OF A STERLING PATRIOT AND A DEVOTED CATHOLIC.

We deeply regret to have to chronicle the death of Mr. Michael O'Malley, a highly-esteemed citizen, and a most devoted son of the Church, who passed away suddenly at Coolangatta on last Monday morning, just as he and his daughter were waiting to board the train for Brisbane, on their return from a short holiday at the seaside.

The late Mr. O'Malley was 79 years of age. On the advice of the late Mr. P. O'Sullivan, of Ipswich, he came to Queensland at the age of twenty from Co. Clare, where his father held the position of Clerk to the Justices. His first occupation was as manager of a business for Mr. O'Sullivan. Subsequently he entered the office of Mr. Macalister, solicitor, who was after wards Prime Minister of Queensland. From Mr. Macalister's office Mr. O'Malley went into business for himself, and later on entered the Public Service, in which he remained until his retirement from active duty some years ago.

Mining Registrar on the Gilbert.

Mr. O'Malley's first position in the Civil Service was as Mining Registrar on the Gilbert, where the late Captain Townley was, at the same time, appointed Police Magistrate. The deceased gentleman had many interesting reminiscences of the time he spent in the district, and he often described the disastrous floods that he met with on his journey thither after his appointment. From the Gilbert, Captain Townley was transferred to the post of Police Magistrate at Rockhampton, and Mr. O'Malley was sent as C.P.S. to Warwick.

But the two friends were destined to come together again. Mr. O'Malley's first appointment as Police Magistrate was to Cairns. Later on he served in the same capacity at Howard and other centres on the North Coast Line, during which time he resided in Maryborough. His next transfer was to Bowen, where he held the dual position of Police Magistrate and Sheriff.

Member of Civil Service Board.

On the formation of the Civil Service Board of Queensland, Mr. O'Malley was appointed one of the three members of it, the other two being the late Mr. Thos. Mylne (chairman), and Mr Drew. On the retirement of Mr. Mylne, Captain Townley was appointed chairman, and he continued to work with Mr. O'Malley until the Board's dissolution.

Mr. O'Malley married some time after his arrival from the Old Country, and his devoted wife predeceased him by some years. They reared a family of eight children—four sons and four daughters—seven of whom are living. Mr. James O'Malley resides at Taroom, Mr. Michael O'Malley is a solicitor at Innisfail (North Queensland), Mr. William O'Malley is a bank official in New Zealand, and the fourth son is in Western Australia. Two unmarried daughters lived with their father at Church Street, Toowong, a third is Mrs. Brown, and a fourth was the late Mrs. Naughton, wife of Mr. William Naughton, so well known as a benefactor of Catholic charities.

When the body of the deceased gentleman reached the family residence on Monday evening. Archbishop Duhig paid a visit of condolence to the deceased's relatives, and the following morning, in St. Michael's Church, Toowong, his Grace celebrated a Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul.

The funeral took place at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, when the Archbishop, assisted by Rev. Father Byrne, Adm., and Father McGoldrick, recited the last prayers at the graveside.

Amongst those who attended the funeral, besides near relatives, were his Honour Mr. Justice Reel, his HonThynne, M.L.C., Mr. P. O'Sullivan, Mr. J O'N. Brennan, Mr. P. J. McDermott, I.S.O., Mr. Francis McDonnell, Mr. F. O'Dwyer, and many other old friends of the deceased gentleman.

Fine Stock of Militant Catholics.

Mr. O'Malley came of a fine stock of militant Catholics, and he found the Church militant in Australia as well as at home. He lived through stirring times in Ipswich, where he was highly esteemed by his fellow citizens and countrymen, particularly by Mr. Justice Real, the late Mr. P. O'Sullivan, and Father Andrew Horan. His deep love of the Church and his constancy in attending his religious duties were characteristics of his life right to the end.— R.I.P.

Rev. Father Lee, parish priest of Rosalie and Toowong, and a close friend of Mr. O'Malley's, was absent in Toowoomba when he died, and to his regret could not be present, at the obsequies.