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Show j OGDEN, UTAH. . i (Special Correspondence.) During the past week newspapers throughout the state have paid sincere tributes of "appreciation to the memory of Dr. Francis Everard Roche, who was buried from St. Joseph's church last Monday morning at 10 o'clock. All reports have chronicled the place and date of his birth, Castletown, Rocbe -coun,ty, Ireland, June 19, 1(;42; his graduation from ljublin university; his experience as a surgeon major in the British military service; his association as land commissioner, and his professional profes-sional services through out this western west-ern region. But none have touched adequately upon the varied literary merits of. one whom in many respects we cannot refrain from likening to that other poet-physician, Oliver Wendell Holmes. Genial by nature, great-hearted and sympathetic, Dr. Roche resembled resem-bled the "gentle autocrat," but possessed pos-sessed in addition to the graces of nature na-ture the inestimable gift of a deep, living, liv-ing, active faith which rendered his broad humanity truly Christ-like. Dr. Rache was recognized through the intermountain states as a forceful public speaker, a clear, entertaining lecturer and a poet of no mean ability. lie vvcie uiuiuugiiiy ill iiuine in rui.ii- erings of the Knights of Columbus, where his utterances were marked with veracity and courage. His lecture delivered de-livered before Ogden Council 777 on the French question was a most lucid exposition of that terrible church crisis. A short time after his return to Ogden in 1907, there appeared in the columns of the Evening Standard his poem entitled en-titled "An Arraignment." It had been printed previously in the Boston Pilot, from which paper it was copied by permission per-mission of its author. It described n. soul escaping from the bonds of earth, arraigning in grief her mortal tenement. tene-ment. Full of deep philosophy, the poem carried in its strong blank verse construction the theology of justice tempered by "Mercy so vast, the thought of finite mind Can never hope its measures to define." de-fine." His longest work, "The Exodus, an Epic on Liberty," appeared in May, 1906, and won from thoughtful readers poem antedates the Trojan war, and covers eighteen days. It is written in pentameter couplets and contains a wealth of imagary, learning and research re-search not often found in a poem by a modern author. In trie first book the Angel Gabriel is viewing the earth, and as his gaze rests on America he communes com-munes on its final destiny as the home of liberty. One passage especially typifies typi-fies the lofty ideals of the author, who may well be classed among those he describes de-scribes as "Unnumbered patriots pure, Whose steadfast soul no influence base can lure, Whose minds a bright integrity shall guide, That base designs and falsehood spurns aside. Whose acts from no controlling aims shall spring, But such as round unswerving justice cling, Whose noble hearts no slavish thought shall stain. But restless love of Liberty enchain; Whose sympathies no narrow wall shall bound. But all mankind in quickened love surround. sur-round. Whose sterling faith and worth superior supe-rior spring To gifts which furtune's varying favors bring, Whose generous hearts no higher measures meas-ures know Than such as from the common interest inter-est flow. That joy sublime which only those can feel Whose thoughts are centred in the common weal. On such just Heaven inscribes with lairesi scroll The enobling signet of a patriot's soul." Better than all his works was Dr. Roche's life one long, beautiful poem, an epic of the soul. He waged war against injustice and strove to free his fellow men froh the slavery of public opinion. God, duty, home were his watchwords. With the strong, epic quality of his life were blended lyric notes of tenderness and trust. There are mnay who may not have known his literary worth, but there are few with whom he came in contact that did not feel the force , of his noble life Looking for the last time upon the strong face, as he lay surrounded bv those he loved, we felt "How excellent to bear unto an old age The poet's ardor and the heart of youth To keep to the last sleep the voice of truth And leave to hands that grieve a glowing glow-ing page." Sacred Heart Academy, Ogden. Utah. Many floral tributes telling of the love and esteem whichc the deceased is held by hosts of friends, made St. Joseph's Catholic church beautiful for the funeral funer-al of Dr. Francis E. Roche this morning. morn-ing. Requiem mass was said at 10 o'clock. The Ave . Maria was suns by Whiter Banchman, and Miss Margaret Grill sang "Face to Face." The church choir was present. Father Cushnahan preached the funeral sermon, which was replete with kind thoughts of the beloved be-loved physician, and words of cheer and encouragement to the sorrowing friends and relatives. Interment was in City cemetery, and this service was conducted conduct-ed by Father Ryan. The honorary pall bearers were: Doctors Baker, Joyce, Gordon, Rich, Powers and Condon. The casket was carried by members' of the Knights of Columbus, Don McOuire, J. J. O'Conner. W. S. O'Brien, Philip Grill' M. J. Moran and Dan S. Banchman. Ogden Standard, Aug. 1. |
