Obituary. Father Lane, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 1 July 1909, p 23, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108180549:

The clergy and laity of New South Wales have received with great surprise and regret the announcement of the sudden 'death of the Rev. Father J. Lane, of Grenfell. Father Lane was discovered fully dressed lying dead on the steps of the presbytery last Thursday morning. The discovery was made at 10.20 a.m., and it would appear that Father Lane had been dead about a quarter of an hour. Fathers Lynch and Keating were both at home, and the doctor was speedily sent for. Dr. Ercole, who had previously attended deceased, pronounced life extinct, and certified that the cause of death was heart failure. Deceased died on the anniversary of his ordination, he being ordained 24th June twenty-four years ago. Father Lane succeeded Father Fallon in charge of the parish of Grenfell. First of all, heavy and old-standing liabilities were cleared off, and then began the task of building those numerous churches with which the district and more particularly the town of Grenfell are now adorned. Other improvements were effected by Father Lane throughout the great parish, stretching from the Lachlan at Goolagong to Lake Cudgellico. As a parish priest he was most active in promoting the welfare of the Church and his flock. He was generous and charitable, and earned the esteem of all classes of the community wherein he laboured with conspicuous success. The people loved him, and the Bishop of his diocese set a high value on the work which he performed in the Grenfell parish. His very sudden death came as a great shock to his relatives. The deceased was an uncle of Messrs. D. and J. Lane, of Grenfell. One brother resides at Nymagee; one brother, and deceased's two sisters and mother, at Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Ireland, where deceased was born forty-nine years ago; he also leaves two sisters in America. Father Lane was educated at Carlow College, Ireland. He held the post of Professor of Mathematics at St. Patrick's College, Goulburn, for five years, and many of his former pupils have since risen to prominent positions in Sydney and elsewhere. A Requiem Mass was celebrated last Friday morning in St. Joseph's Church by Fathers Lynch and Keating, and deceased was buried on the following morning.—R.I.P.

---

Death of Father Lane of Grenfell. A Popular Priest, The Catholic Press, Sydney, 1 July 1909, p 25, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105186866:

The people of Grenfell and district received a painful shock when they learnt that the Rev. Father J. Lane had been found dead outside his presbytery on Thursday morning, the 24th anniversary of his ordination. He was discovered fully dressed, and in an overcoat, on the steps of his home about 10.20, and it is thought that he had been dead about 15 minutes then. His assistants, the Rev. Fathers Thos. Lynch and J. Keating, were at home at the time, and hastily summoned a doctor, who, on arrival, pronounced life extinct, and certified that fatty degeneration of the heart was the cause of Father Lane's death. He had spent the previous evening with his nephews, Messrs. D. and J. Lane, and left them about 9.30, so that his sudden end came as a great shock to every one. One of Father Lane's brothers lives in Nymagee; his mother, one brother and two sisters, live at Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, where deceased was born 49 years ago. There are also two sisters in America. The entire community has sympathised with the Catholics of the extensive Grenfell parish on the sad death of their pastor, for there was no more popular man in the town and district than Father Lane, whose generous disposition, charitableness towards everyone, and winning personality attracted people of every class and creed towards him.

Father Lane was educated at Carlow College, and during his ministry in the diocese of Goulburn he spent five years at St. Patrick's College, Goulburn, as professor of Mathematics. He succeeded Father Fallon in charge of Grenfell. Things then did not run in the same smooth ways as they do today. A load of debt pressed heavily on the shoulders of the parishioners, then fewer in numbers, and combatting the effects of drought as well as the difficulties that early settlers in a new country meet with, there was work for a strong man, and Father Lane undertook it, resolved to win. Never for a moment did he relax his strenuous labours until the old-standing liabilities were removed. Then he began the erection of the several churches in a parish that stretches from the Lachlan at Goolagong to Lake Cudgellico. Besides St. Joseph's, Grenfell, there are St. Malachy's, Goolagong; St. Francis', Bimbi; St. Columbkille's, Lake Cudgellico, and churches at Piney Range and Pullabooka. Many other improvements to the parochial properties in these centres were made. Father Lane was an indefatigable organiser, and his work was appreciated by his people and commended by Bishop Gallagher.

The remains of Father Lane were taken to St. Joseph's Church on Thursday evening at 10 o'clock, and placed on the catafalque before the altar. On Friday morning Masses for the repose of his soul were celebrated by the Rev. Fathers Lynch and Keating. The building was filled with people who were present to pay the tribute of their love and respect of a priest whose loss is keenly felt.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, and was the largest ever seen in Grenfell. During its progress business was partially suspended. The chief mourners were Father Lane's brother, from Nymagee, and his nephews, Messrs. D. and J. Lane.— R.I.P.

---

The Churches, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 July 1909, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15069624:

Rev. Father J. Lane was found dead outside his presbytery, Grenfell, on Thursday last week, the 24th anniversary of his ordination. He was discovered fully dressed, and in an overcoat, on the steps of his home about 10.20, and it is thought that he had been dead about 15 minutes then. The funeral on Saturday is said to have been the largest ever seen in Grenfell.

---

John McEvoy, Carlow College 1793-1993: The ordained students and teaching staff of St. Patrick's College, Carlow, The Carlovian Press, Carlow, 1993. Appendix I: Carlow College Ordained Students 1793-1993:

Lane, John, born 21-05-1853, from Cork - Mourne Abbey, ed. CW 1879-1885, o. in 1885 for Goulburn. CC: Goulburn, Albury. St. Patrick's College Staff Goulburn. CC: Tumut 1886-1895. PP: Grenfell 1895-1909. Died 24-06-1909.