Ilion High School - Class of 1906

Herkimer Evening Telegram - February 9, 1979

Death of John T. Donlin.

Article 6

Death of John T. Donlin.

John T. Donlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Donlin, died at the City Hospital, Albany, N. Y., Saturday, Nov. 7. Mr. Donlin was a member of the class of 1906, Ilion High School. He entered the Albany Law School in September, 1907, pursuing his studies with a faithfulness and application which brought him marked recognition among his fellow students; he was made a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity of the college and made his home in the fraternity house where he was stricken with typhoid fever; for a week his condition was not thought to be serious but he was then taken to the Albany City Hospital and given the best of care, his mother being continually with him. From the beginning it was evident that he was critically ill but as his condition later improved, he was thought to be recovering; Saturday morning, however, he grew rapidly worse and passed away in spite of all that could be done. He was in the prime of young manhood, being 23 years old.

The death of Mr. Donlin is mourned by an unusually large circle of friends; his gentlemanly deportment, clean character and genial manner made friends of all who knew him. He was ambitious to make a success in his chosen profession and without question overtaxed his strength by continuous labor during vacation as well as during the college year. Mr. Donlin was an exceptionally fine public speaker and bid fair to achieve the distinction merited by his character and ability. He was a faithful member of Ave Maria church.

A touching indication of the esteem in which the deceased was held was shown by a body of nearly 100 who met the train bearing his remains from Albany and who served as an escort to the bereaved home. Sunday afternoon about 100 of his brothers in the K. of C. visited the home in a body. He is survived by his parents, and two sisters, Miss Mary Donlin of Ilion and Miss Margaret Donlin of Wilkesbarre, Pa.

The funeral was held from the house at 9:30 Tuesday morning and at 10 o'clock from Ave Maria church in which every sitting was occupied, compelling many to stand in the aisles; it is doubtful if a larger number ever thronged Ave Maria church to pay their silent tribute of respect to a worthy life. Attending the funeral in a body were Ilion Council No. 518, K. of C.; Tau Chapter, Theta Phi fraternity; Holy Name Society; C. M. B. A. and a delegation of 16 fellow students from Albany Law School, including the secretary of the college. Friends, neighbors and college associates, without regard to creed, joined in mourning his death.

The funeral service consisted of the solemn requiem high mass, with the pastor, Rev. J. V. Quinn as celebrant, assisted by Rev, Father McDonald, assistant pastor and Father Harrigan of Herkimer. Father Quinn spoke eloquently and with marked appropriateness, delivering a most able funeral address and speaking with deep feeling and personal appreciation of the deceased whose character, he said, "was apparently without a law." The music was in entire harmony with the solemn service and was most effectively rendered. At the offertory "O Salutaris" was beautifully rendered by C. C. Mackin, and at the close of the mass "Beautiful Home of Paradise" was feelingly sung by Miss Molly Mahoney.

The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful and in addition to those sent by friends there was a pillow bearing the letters "A L S, '09" from his class at the Albany Law School; large emblematic piece from the Delta Chi fraternity at Albany, emblematic pieces from Tau Chapter, Theta Phi, Ilion, and the Upsilon Chapter, Theta Phi of Herkimer; a K. of C. anchor from Ilion Council, No. 518, K. of C., gates-a-jar from his former fellow workmen in the Taylor department, room 62 of the Remington Arms Company, and a basket of roses from the office employees of the company. The bearers were from the Delta Chi fraternity and were: E. C. Conway, Albany; G. W. Kelsey, Olean; J. R. Earl. J., Lockport; J. W. Dovern, Plattsburg; S. C. Ward, Rochester, and C. G. Blakeslee, Binghamton.

As the funeral party was leaving the church it was preceded by the three priests and the altar boys, who with Father Quinn chanting, accompanied the remains to the outside door. The remains were taken to St. Agnes cemetery, where after a short prayer service by Rev. Father McDonald, they were placed in their last resting place.

Resolutions of Respect

At a meeting of Ilion Council No. 518, Knights of Columbus, held Sunday, Nov. 8th, the following resolutions were adopted:

Whereas, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has been pleased to close the book of life of our late beloved brother, John Donlin, and

Whereas by his early death our Council has lost a loyal and honored friend and his family a loving, devoted and promising member, cut down in the very prime of life, and

Whereas we humbly bow with submission to the Divine will, yet we cannot fail to express our deep regret at his early departure.

Therefore resolved, that we express our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family in this sad hour of their affliction And be it further

Resolved. That our charter be draped for a period of thirty days, and that our suitable piece of flowers be sent to he home of the deceased.

Thomas H. Murphy,
James H. O'Brien,
John P. McGraw,

At a meeting of the Ilion branch No. 104, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, held Sunday, November 8th, 1908, the following resolutions were drafted.

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to call from his earthly labors, our late brother, Joh T. Donlin, and

Whereas, By the sad and sudden death, is family is deprived of one of its self sacrificing, loving and loyal members, and our organization one of its most faithful members and past officers.

Resolved. That our charter be draped for a period of thirty days and that according to our constitution, masses be celebrated for the faithful departed, instead of sending a floral tribute and that the lodge attend the funeral in a body.

Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, published in the local papers and transcribed in our minutes.

M. H. Nagle,
E. A. Powers,
T. J. Moynehan