Death Of Father O'Regan, The Warrnambool Standard, 25 August 1917,p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73937882:

General regret was expressed by all sections of the connmunity, when it became known that the Rev. Father O'Regan had passed quietly away on Thursday evening, writes our Port Fairy correspondent. The rev. gentleman had been in failing health for some time past and about six months ago the new Bishop, at his request, relieved him of the arduous work of the parish and placed a curate, Rev. Father Rohan, in charge. Father O'Regan then proceeded to St. Ive's Hospital to undergo a special course of medical treatment. He returned about three weeks ago feeling much improved in health, and the end was not expected so suddenly. He was 62 years of age and had been in charge of the Port Fairy parish for 36 years. He was born at Clonkilty, Country Cork, Ireland, and arrived in Ballarat in 1880. In the following year he was appointed curate to the late Monsignor O'Dowd, who was then in charge of the Port Fairy parish. On the latter being transferred to Warrnambool in 1886, Father O'Regan was appointed priest in charge and labored amongst his flock until his health broke down six months ago. He was beloved, not only by his parishioners, but by the people of all denominations for his broad-mindedness and his charitable disposition, and his well-known and kindly figure will be greatly missed. The body was removed to the Church, where it lies in state to enable members of his flock to pay a last tribute to his memory. The funeral obsequies will commence this morning at 10.30 when Requiem Mass will be celebrated, and at the close of the service the cortege will leave for the Port Fairy Cemetery where the interment will take place.

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Obituary, Koroit Sentinel and Tower Hill Advocate, 25 August 1917,p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120951567:

The death occurred at the Presbytery, Port Fairy, on Thursday, of the Rev. James O'Regan, whose health has been causing anxiety to his friends for some months past. The late Father O'Regan was born in 1855 at Clonakilty, County Cork and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows, Dublin. He arrived in Australia about 1882, and first exercised the duties of his sacred calling at Ballarat. About a year later he was transferred to Port Fairy as assistant priest to the late Archdeacon O'Dowd. At that time the parish of Port Fairy embraced Koroit, Crossley, and the intervening settlements, and Father O'Regan had to travel long distances to attend to the spiritual wants of his people. In 1886 Archdeacon O'Dowd was appointed to Warrnambool, and Father O'Regan was given charge of the Port Fairy parish. During his pastorate several works of an important nature were carried out, including the erection of the Convent now controlled by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, also a school at Orford. He was an amiable and genial gentleman, much beloved by his parishioners, and highly esteemed by his fellow priests. The funeral will take place to-day after Requiem Mass at Port Fairy at 10.30.

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Obituary. Rev James O'Regan, P.P., Port Fairy Gazette, 27 August 1917,p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88025307:

The death of Rev James O'Regan, which took place at St Patrick's Presbytery, Port Fairy, on Thursday evening last, though not unexpected, caused profound and heartfelt grief throughout the district, and among people of all denominations, who held him in the most affectionate veneration and regard.

The Priest.
Rev Father O'Regan was a native of Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland (he was the youngest of 7 sons, Mr Jeremiah O'Regan, Wagga, N.S.W., and Mr Patrick O'Regan, New Zealand, being two of his brothers). He early manifested that spirit of piety and charity which marked every action of his life, and, showing a vocation for the priesthood, he entered All Hallow's College, Dublin, where he received the education necessary to fit him for his holy calling. When about 24 years of age, he left Ireland to engage in his missionary labors in Australia. Arriving in Melbourne in 1880, he proceeded to Ballarat, where he remained only a few months, being then appointed curate to Monsignor O'Dowd, who was in charge of this parish (which at that time included Koroit, Hawkesdale, and all the surrounding district), succeeding him as parish priest when he (Monsignor O'Dowd) was transferred to Warrnambool. On his arrival at Port Fairy, the late Father O'Regan stepped straight into the warm affection of every man, woman and child in the place, and each year of his faithful ministry served to cement and strengthen the bonds which united priest and people. While he was untiring in the zealous prosecution of the duties of his sacred office, he was something more than pastor of the parish. He was brother, father, friend and adviser to any who had need of him, and liberal and willing was his assistance—spiritual and material—at all times. Many are the incidents recounted in these days immediately succeeding his death, of his open-handed and kind-hearted response to appeals from all quarters, and no story of generosity and kindness bestowed by the well-beloved priest occasions any surprise. Whilst he did much good unostentatiously, he had no taste for public life and no desire to shine, indeed humility was the keynote of his character. He was always solicitious about the health and welfare of everyone and he passed no one without the cheery and sincere inquiry, "How are you?" In cases of sickness and sorrow, he knew no denomination, as Catholics and Protestants are proud to testify. His kind soul prompted him to visit all sick-rooms, whose patients were gladdened by his presence: and every household in mourning had their burden made lighter by the words of consolation poured out by the meek, modest, humble and kind clergyman whose demise they now deplore.

His Work.
During the late Father O'Regan's charge of the Port Fairy parish, Catholic education made rapid and great strides. He was instrumental in establishing the Sisters of St Joseph de Cluny in the town. These ladies, who were a French Community, and a very highly cultured order, soon demonstrated the advantages of a good education, and during their regime many young ladies outside the Catholic fold attended the Convent High School. The Sisters, after several years' fine work, were recalled to France, and Father O'Regan, after a short interval, was again successful in securing the services of another famous religious Order—the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, and a new Convent was built for their reception about 3 years ago. The Catholic school, at Yambuk, owes its existence to Father O'Regan, who met its equipment, and a great portion of the teacher's salary from his own private means. The late Father O'Regan needs no monumental structure to memorialise him, nor epitaph to recall his good deeds, his monument being in the hearts of his people who will love and revere him while they have life, and "to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." Nowhere will the deceased priest be held in more abiding and grateful remembrance than at the hospital, where his cheery presence was always most warmly welcomed.

His Illness and Death.
For over a year it had been apparent to the congregation that their good priest's health was failing though he discharged his usual round of duties with the care and punctuality which marked his doings. When in October last, the parishioners (to commemorate Father O'Regan's 35 years labors among them) made him a presentation, many observed that his health was declining, but enquirers were always assured he was "Well, very well," and he maintained that independent attitude till the beginning of the year when he was obliged to relax his labors, Rev Father Rohan taking over charge of the parish, and three months ago his condition became so critical that he went to Melbourne where he underwent special treatment in St Evin's private hospital. After spending 9 weeks there, he returned home, where for the last three weeks he was able to receive the visits of his parishioners and friends. He preserved the same bright cheerful demeanor right up to the last, taking a kindly interest in all who approached him. On Thursday morning he spoke calmly of his approaching death and retained consciousness till a short time before, passing off as quietly and painlessly as a sleeping child a little before seven o'clock in the evening.

The Obsequies.
On Friday morning, the remains were removed to St Patrick's church, where they lay in state till Saturday morning, great numbers of persons visiting the sacred edifice to offer up prayers for their late priest's eternal well-being. Looking at him as he lay there in his oaken coffin, robed in purple vestments, his hands clasping for the last time the most prized symbol of office—the Chalice— it was hard to realise that his activities were stilled. Many a supplicant on his behalf mingled tears with prayers. On Saturday morning, long before the hour appointed for opening the ceremony, the Church was crowded, over 600 people attending the obsequies in which nine priests took part—Arch-Priest Marshall (Warrnambool), Dean Shanahan (Hamilton), Rev Father Rohan (Port Fairy), Rev Father Devane (Terang), Rev Father Shine (Camperdown), Rev Father McAuley (Koroit), Rev Father Cain (Portland), Rev Father Mulcahy (Warrnambool), Rev Father Hyland (Koroit)—(and had the ceremony taken place on any other day than Saturday, the number would have been nearer 50). The solemn office of the Dead was chanted by the clergy, assembled round the catafalque, the acolytes, 9 in number, being grouped near. The sombre vestments of the priests and the black draperies of the altar added a deep impressiveness to the imposing scene. The Children of Mary and H.A.C.B.S. occupied the front seats of the Church, the school children in uniforms being immediately at the back. One large white wreath lay on the coffin—a tribute from the curator of the gardens (Mr Vance) and his wife. At the High Requiem Mass, Father McAuley was celebrant, Father Shine Deacon, and Father Hyland sub-deacon, Rev Father Rohan acting as Master of Ceremonies both during the Office and Mass. The hymn for departed souls, "Lord, from the Depths, I have cried unto Thee," was beautifully sung by the Convent school children. At the conclusion of the Requiem Mass, Dean Shanahan, an old acquaintance of the deceased clergyman, in reviewing Father O'Regan's spiritual work from the time he left home and kindred in faraway Ireland to minister to his people in Austral lands, paid a very high tribute to his holy life, his zeal for religion and Catholic education, and his great benevolence, charity being his outstanding attribute both in speech and actions. He had done much pioneering work in the 80's, having to travel long distances, and had endeared himself to the hearts of the people on account of the multitude of good actions which he had performed on behalf of them. He was loved by his fellow-priests as much as he was by the whole of the Catholic people in this parish. There was no severer wrench to Catholics than the death of a pastor, but their grief was very poignant in losing one like Father O'Regan who had ministered so long among them. He had earned the promised reward, but his many kind deeds would live in their hearts for all time, and in their daily prayers they could never forget to remember him. During Dean Shanahan's panegyric, many of the congregation were moved to tears, a number of those so affected not being members of the Catholic faith. As the coffin was being raised by the bearers, "The Magnificat" and Steinforth's "O Salutaris (2 of Father O'Regan's favorite hymns) were played by the organist (Mr. G. Hayres) and the congregation poured from the church. The coffin bearers were Messrs M. Carter, J. Costello, T. McMahon, D. Carroll (Yambuk), M. Carroll and M. Tate, the pallbearers being Messrs K. Keating, T. Storey, Laffin (Koroit), I. King, P. Hanley and J [----]. As the remains were borne from the church The Dead March in Saul was played and the passing hell tolled mournfully. The Hibernians formed themselves into a guard of honor through which the coffin passed from church door to the hearse, a similar guard being formed while the coffin was carried from the hearse to the grave. Messrs Guyett and Sons carried out the mortuary arrangements in a manner befitting the important occasion. The Church ceremonies were followed by a Funeral Procession through the town by the following route:—Down Cox street, along Sackville st, up Bank and William street to Cox street, thence to the cemetery, a great concourse of people joining in the cortege in this order:—Acolytes, schoolchildren, Children of Mary, Clergy, the Hearse, Mourning Coach (conveying Mrs N. J. Keating, Port Fairy, Father O'Regan's niece), Mayor, and Councillors of the Borough Port Fairy, townspeople, vehicles. At the graveside, the Venerable Arch-Priest Marshall (Warrnambool) read the burial service, the remaining priests making the responses. At St Patrick's church yesterday, the Rev Father Rohan, speaking with feeling of suppressed emotion, said he would fail in his duty as a companion priest of the late Father O'Regan for the past 7 years if he omitted to refer to the numerous sacrifices made by their beloved pastor. He had given all he possessed in maintaining the Convent school here and the one in Yambuk. The labors of a priest were not, as some might imagine, easy. They entailed much worry and responsibility and Father O'Regan had his full share of these up to the time of his sickness last November, but he never complained to the people, and made up deficiencies from his slender means. It was necessary that some recognition should be made for all this, and he felt sure that committees would be formed in the parish to give effect to what he suggested. He would assist the movement to the utmost of his power. He need hardly remind them that it was their duty at all times to offer up their prayers for the repose of the soul of Father O'Regan, who had tried to do so much for them and their children during his anxious life here.

At St John's Anglican Church on Sunday, the Rev W. O. Jessop made very touching reference at the morning service to the passing of one who was beloved by the whole community and he expressed the deepest sympathy at the loss the community had sustained by the death of the Rev Father James O'Regan.

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Kevin Condon, CM, The Missionary College of All Hallows 1842-1891, Dublin, 1986. Appendix: Matricula 1842-91:

No. 1373 James O'Regan, 1874, Mr Lordan's, Bandon. Of Jeremiah and Mary O'Sullivan, Barryroe, Ross; b. 6.7.'54. Ord. for Ballarat, 24.6.'79. Asst. at Port Fairy to J. O'Dowd; PP of Port Fairy, 1886-1917. Died, 24.8.1917. (Cork?)