Father Thomas Connors - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 1/29/2012

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Father Thomas Connor - Madison Parish, Louisiana 

From Tallulah Madison Journal, July 27, 1962

Father Thomas Connors, of St. Edwards Roman Catholic Church, died early Wednesday morning in his 
bedroom at the rectory where it caught fire some time shortly before 1:44 o'clock.

The local fire department reports that the alarm was received at 1:44 a.m., and prompt response 
was made. It was reported that the fire was discovered and reported by tourists passing the rectory 
on Highway 80.

Firemen reported when they entered the building they found the victim in the living room, the
furniture disarranged. Apparently the smoke had awakened the priest who in his effort to escape 
from the choking fumes in his bedroom, had groped his way into the living  room before being 
overcome by the smoke.

Two Chihuahua dogs also died of asphyxiation in the blaze. Fire Chief Louis Nettles said that the 
bedroom of the brick building was completely destroyed and that other parts of the structure were 
smoke damaged. The fire however did not spread to the nearby church.

Father Connors, a native of Ireland, had been at St. Edwards Church since January after serving at 
Jena for the past few years. Previous to that, he had taught in Rome, Paris and in Iowa. 

Next of kin include two sisters, Mother Elizabeth, of Boston, Mass., and Mrs. Gretta Lodes, of Oyster 
Bay Long Island, N. Y.; four brothers, Micheal, John, Lawrence and William, all of Ireland.

His body was removed at 2:45 a.m. It was taken to Young's Funeral Home here.

Funeral arrangements were compiled yesterday, and it was announced that the service will be held at 
St. Edwards Church here Friday at eleven o'clock in the morning. Bishop Charles P. Greco, of Alexandria 
Diocese, will offer the silent pontifical requiem. The other officers of the Mass will be Rev. A. H. Carson, 
deacon of St. Anna Church, Clarks, La.; Master of Ceremonies, and Rev. Frank Fomet, of St. Francis 
Cathedral, Alexandria, Rev. Martin Tyrell will deliver the eulogy. Music will be sung by the priests 
of the Alexandria Diocese under the direction of Rev. Gerard Foley, of St. Francis Cathedral, Alexandria 
and the pallbearers will consist of priests of the Diocese. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, 
Cut-Off, La.