Rev. William Hahessy

HAHESSY, POWER

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 4/14/2006 at 20:42:25

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, March 4, 1942

WINTERSET PRIEST CALLED BY DEATH
Rev. William Hahessy Died Thursday Night of Heart Attack

The entire community of Winterset was grieved Friday morning to hear of the death of the Rev. William Hahessy, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church here since 1934, who succumbed to a heart attack during the night at the parish rectory on West Green street.

The life of the Winterset priest was cut short with shocking suddenness at the age of 45 years. His health had given no reason for serious alarm, and through the final evening of his life he had continued his active part in the affairs of the community. On Thursday evening he had attended a Rotary club dinner here, and after that was present at the Red Cross basketball tournament in the high school.

The Rev. Mr. Hahessy was regarded as one of Winterset's most useful and respected citizens. He was a member of the Winterset Rotary club, the Winterset Ministerial association, the Madison County Rural Rehabilitation Advisory committee, and had long been active in community projects.

He was born in Killballyquilty, County Waterford, Ireland, on Nov. 18, 1896. He received his education at the Christian Brothers school at Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, and St. John's college in Waterford. He was ordained at the cathedral in Waterford on June 15, 1922. The following September he came to Des Moines, where he served as assistant in St. Peter's parish and St. Augustine's parish. In June, 1926, he was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart church in Woodbine, where he spent eight years. In September 1934, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church in Winterset, and had been here since that time.

The Rev. Mr. Hahessy's last surviving near relative, his mother, died in Ireland about a year ago. His nearest surviving relative in this country is a cousin, Nicholas Power, of St. Louis, Mo., who was present for the funeral.

Funeral services were held Monday at St. Joseph's church with solemn requiem pontifical high Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Bishop Gerald T. Bergen of Des Moines. The Rev. M. Kelliher acted as deacon of the services; the Rev. J. J. Judge as sub-deacon, and the Right Rev. Monsignor J. J. Boylan as arch-priest. The Revs. William Coughlan and Edward O'Donnell served as deacons of honor, and the Rev. W. McMahon was master of ceremonies. The Rev. P. J. O'Leary gave the eulogy.

In all, about 100 priests, from nearly every parish in the diocese, attended the services.

Pall bearers were John Hartley, H. L. Paull, Herman Lewis, Hugh Steele, M. Breen and Peter Cunningham. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, March 5, 1942
Page 1, Column 5

REV. WILLIAM HAHESSY DIES AT AGE 45

Catholic Priest Here Seven Years

Shocking news came to the people of St. Joseph’s parish here on Friday morning with the announcement of the death of their beloved pastor, the Rev. William Hahessy.

In the seven years of his pastorate in Winterset he had won the hearts of the people, Catholic and non-Catholic. He had directed their energies; he had organized his parish as a unit and when the news came it was tragic in its suddenness.

Father Hahessy died very suddenly early Friday morning of a heart attack, following a brief period of ill health. He had attended the weekly Rotary club dinner on Thursday evening and later in the evening was present at the benefit Red Cross basketball jamboree at the high school.

For almost seven years he served Winterset. His leadership was needed. His kindly spirit, coupled with the masterly organization, in a short time, won all hearts to him. The church debit began to vanish; many necessary repairs to the church and rectory were made, and today, all through his efforts, Winterset stands as one of the first parishes in the Des Moines Diocese. It will be a difficult task to fill his place in the minds and hearts of the people of Winterset.

Father Hahessy was considered a man among men. His style was accomplished, correct, precise to the point. His oratorical ability was outstanding and he was constantly called by his brother priests and patriotic societies. His heart was no less great bend his mind. His friends knew that his friendship was not merely fair weather, but as rugged and sterling as the mountain vastness of his native Ireland.

Father Hahessy was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland on November 19, 1897. Father Hahessy was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Dr. Hackett at the Cathedral Waterford in Ireland on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 15, 1922. He celebrated his first Mass at the Mercy Convent in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland.

Sailing to America in 1923, he came to Des Moines where he was assistant pastor to the Rev. William McAllister at St. Peter’s Catholic church for one year. He was then transferred to St. Augustin’s church, Des Moines and was assistant to the late Rt. Rev. Msgr Noonan. Later he went to Woodbine where he was pastor of the Sacred Heart church for eight years, prior to coming to Winterset, September 15, 1934.

His only surviving relative in the United States is a cousin, Mrs. John Powers of St. Louis, Missouri. Several brothers and sisters survived in Ireland, his parents having preceded him in death.

A Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph’s church Monday morning at 10:30. Burial was made in the Winterset Cemetery.

More than one hundred priests throughout the Des Moines, Sioux City and Davenport dioceses in the state were in attendance at the services. Loud speakers such were installed on the church grounds whereby a large number of people who could not get inside the church were able to listen to the funeral services.

Rev. Cletus Portel, professor at Dowling college in Des Moines, has been appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s church, taking the place of the late William Hahessy. He will arrive here Saturday to begin his new duties.

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