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Edward Fay
September 5, 1828–August 6, 1909 |
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| With extreme regret we have to announce the death of an old, esteemed, and valued citizen in the person of Mr. Edward Fay, which melancholy event took place at his late home on last Friday morning, the 6th last. The message, although not coming unexpectedly, was not the less fraught with sadness. The stroke of death will ever be heavy to feel whether it fall at the end of four score years or after the lapse of four years. In fact the process of time seems, in a measure, to make one's presence a necessary part of the world, and the vacancy more perceptible after departure.
In the gloom which hangs over the habitation, in the silence of solitude, a shadow stands in the doorway. It moves gently along the daily walk of the deceased, passes up and down and around the places of his customary work. It is human nature, fond memories. Affectionate remembrance and familiarity compel the sorrowing survivors to recur in vain to the schemes that are gone, to look betimes for the "touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still." No matter how prolonged their stay under the roof, or how little the usefulness of their service, no matter how white the head or how weighty the burden of years, still the beloved parent—the father or mother—will always be the keystone of the arch sustaining the family habitat,—the circlet to hold the members in one fold, than which there is no other spot sweeter, "Mid pleasures and palaces," in all the wide world around. Mr. Fay, as much as anybody ever before lived and labored to make his home on earth veritable an ante-chamber of the "home not made with hands' beyond the stars. At the end of more than four score of years his casquet was slowly borne out through the door, covered with flowers of the garden, laden with flowers of love, accompanied by a multitude of sympathising mourners,and sweetest of all,followed by sighs and tears as genuinely sincere as ever fell upon a coffin lid.
Edward Fay was born in the County Meath, Ireland, on the 5th of September, 1827. In the power and pride of his young manhood he left the Isle of subjection, and emigrated to "the land of the free and the home of the brave." He first settled in Chicago where he was married to Miss Margaret Mulconery. Her brother, Maurice Mulconery, was at that time roadmaster on the old Dubuque and Southwestern R.R. and one of the cleverest, most competent, and best known men that ever lived in this locality. By the invitation of Mr. Mulconery, Mr. and Mrs. Fay came to Iowa and lived for many years at Langworthy where he worked on the railroad, and where most of their family was born. The children are: Margaret (Mrs. John Foley) deceased; William of Kearney, Nebr.; Bridget (Mrs. Wm Fogerty) of Prairieburg; Mary (Sr. Genevieve of the Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids); Maurice and Agnes at home. After quitting railroad work, Mr. Fay bought a farm and lived several years two miles north of this city. Some six years since the family moved into town where the younger brother is now one of Anamosa's most respected and enterprising merchants.
Mr. Fay, possessed of the vigourous constitution of the early settlers, enjoyed good health all the years of his long life. A month ago the first symptom of failure appeared, the inevitable consequence of old age and the index of approaching dissolution. His course since then has been a gradual descent into the grave, every day sinking lower and lower, toward his long last home. He was, up to the end, fully conscious, perfectly resigned, grateful in the extreme and filled with the love of both God and man. No thorn of regret pierced his dying pillow. The only things that touched his closing eyes was the single sadness of parting with his dear devoted family—the idols of his soul and the pardonable pride of his aged heart. After all, it is not so much earthly accumulation, civil or social dignities, or literary distinction that makes life worth while, it is the man,—the man,—that makes the world richer by his residence in it, and leaves mankind poorer by his departure from among them. Here surely was a life which utilized to the utmost all the talents which a bountiful Lord had given. His declining days were crowned with heaven's best blessings. His memory shall be his lasting monument. His career was an inspiration and a model. The place which he held,—which any good man holds,—in the hearts of the community was shown by the singularly large number that crowded at the funeral to testify their regard for the citizen that had passed away.
The funeral services were held at the local catholic church on Monday at 10: a.m. conducted by the pastor assisted by Father Norris of Stone City. The choir in charge of Miss Dyer sang some musical selections, as exceptionally sweet as they were singularly well suited to the occasion. The sermon was spoken by the pastor, who had known the deceased intimately for more than a quarter of a century. Interment took place in Holy Cross cemetery.
The following acted as pall-bearers; John Foley, J. A. Green, Matt Chesire, James Dorney, Ed Harvey, and Philip Daley. The general arrangements were in charge of J.W. Conmey and Sheriff Hogan, which is sufficient guarantee that the entire proceedings were excellently conducted.
As the throng of sympathizers looked their last on the beautiful casquet, under a coverlet of beautiful flowers, they thought that these enclosed all that was left of a life no less beautiful in its simplicity, honesty and sincerity; and as they turned their backs on the open grave and wended their way down the hillside they said within themselves: Verily this is a world of disappointment, separation and woe: the only solution of the problem is that "The path of sorrow, and that path alone Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown."
Submitted by: Mary Kay Kuhfittig
Death of Mr. Edward Fay Mr. Edward Fay died last Friday morning at his home on Strawberry Hill, from pneumonia and acute stomach trouble, after an illness of about thirty days. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, September 5, 1828, and came to New York in 1849. He has resided in Iowa since 1858, locating at Langworthy and being engaged with his brother-in-law, Morris Mulconnery, in the construction of the Dubuque Southwestern. He resided on his farm three miles north of Anamosa for about thirty-two years and for the last six years on Strawberry Hill. The funeral services were held at the Catholic church on Monday at 10:30 A.M., conducted by Rev. Father Powers, who preached an eloquent sermon and paid a high tribure to the deceased for his many worthy qualities of citizenship. Interment followed in Holy Cross cemetery. There was a very large attendance at the funeral by a wide circle of neighbors and friends in this part of the county. Mrs. Fay died over twelve years ago. The children living are Mrs. Will Fogarty, of Buffalo township, Linn county; Sister Genevive, at the Sanitarium; Mr. W. M. Fay, of Kearney, Neb., and Mr. Maurice Fay and Miss Agnes, of Anamosa. Submitted by: Mary Kay Kuhfittig
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