Item 372 - Br Eugene Duffy SJ

Born: 10 February 1841, Ballynahowan, County Westmeath
Entered: 07 September 1866, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final vows: 02 February 1877
Died: 05 September 1897, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He was ‘villicus’ at Tullabeg and for a long time at Clongowes, where he died 05 September 1897.
A most useful Brother.

Note from Laurence Brady Entry :
He was a companion on the farm to Eugene Duffy.

◆ The Clongownian, 1897

Obituary

Brother Eugene Duffy SJ

As Br Duffy has been so intimately connected with Clongowes, it is only just that we should pay some slight tribute to his memory.

Those who saw him last summer, strong and healthy, full of good humour as he ever was, little thought that the early days of Autumn would see him lying cold and lifeless in the little cemetery he tended with such loving care. Though Br Duffy, to a stranger, seemed in perfect health, he suffered from an internal disease; how much he suffered no one can ever tell, for he bore it all with an heroic patience which marked the true Jesuit.

Always forgetful of himself when he had the interests of others to serve, it was this which caused his death. Being away from the college on some business, he neglected to take proper nourishment, with the result that he brought on a fresh attack of his old enemy, and after a couple of months of intense pain, borne with the patience which was characteristic of the man, he died on the 5th of September, almost the very day on which he had entered the Society thirty - one years before.

-oOo-

As manager of the farm, Br Duffy had made such a reputation that people, came from miles around to consult him and get his advice, and it is only now that he is gone one is able to judge what his loss means.

By the poor of the country he was simply beloved, for they knew well the kind friend he was, and when at length he was laid in his last cold resting place, and the damp earth rattled on his coffin, many a rugged cheek was wet with tears, and rich and poor alike, who had come to pay this last tribute to his memory, turned away with sad and heavy hearts for the loss of him who lay there so calm and peaceful. RIP