Diocese of Port Augusta. Month's Mind for a Pioneer Priest, The Southern Cross, Adelaide, 11 May 1928, p 18, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167797742:

The pretty little church of Pekina in the Port Augusta Diocese, was crowded to the doors on Wednesday, May 2, the occasion being the month's mind for the late Very Rev. Dean O'Connor. In the unavoidable absence of His Lordship, Right Rev. Dr. Killian, Bishop of Port Augusta, Very Rev. Monsignor Mulcahy of Georgetown, presided. There was a representative gathering of the clergy of the diocese, many coming very long distances to pay their tribute of respect and to offer up their prayers for the grand old pioneer priest. Those present were: Very Rev. Monsignor Mulcahy (Georgetown), Very Rev. J. G. O'Rourke (Port Pirie), Rev. E. Lyons (Port Pirie), Very Rev. W. O'Byrne (Port Augusta), Rev. J. Cullinan (Port Augusta), Revs. F. Henschke, D.Ph., S.T.L. (Jamestown), Rev. T. Toal (Jamestown), Rev. W. Kain (Booleroo), Revs. F. F. Morrissey and A. Conway (Pekina) and Revs. M. Clune and M. Casey (Peterborough).

The Solemn Office for the Dead was chanted, the chanters being Rev. Fathers Morrissey and Clune, after which the Solemn Requiem Mass took place, the celebrant being Rev. Father Conway, assisted by Rev. Fathers Kain and Casey as deacon and sub-deacon respectively. Rev. Father O'Byrne acted as M.C. After the Gospel an earnest and touching panegyric was delivered by Very Rev. Father O'Rourke, an account of which is given below. The Final Absolution was given by Monsignor Mulcahy.

Father O'Rourke's Tribute.
"A Pious and Unselfish Priest."
Taking as his text the words, "Be faithful until death and I will give thee the crown of life," the rev. preacher said:—

"We have come here this morning, some of us a long distance, to pay a last public tribute to one of our pioneer Priests—a truly good Priest who pleased God, and was found just. Very Rev. Dean Thomas O'Connor was born at Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, on May 23, 1849. His parents were pious and holy, and were blessed by God with six children, four boys and two girls. Thomas was sent at an early age to the local National School where he received his elementary education. Even as a boy he showed signs of piety, and of a call to the Priesthood, and in consequence was sent to an ecclesiastical seminary in Tipperary. From there he graduated to the famous college of St. Kieran's, Kilkenny, where, having completed his philosophical and theological studies, he was raised to the high and holy office of the Priesthood by His Eminence the late Cardinal Moran, who was then Bishop of Ossory. Shortly after his ordination he left Ireland for Australia in company with the Rev. Mark Delahunty, Father O'Dowling, S.J., Monsignor O'Neill (of Glenelg), Monsignor Coonan, V.G. (Sydney), and Father Gerald Doyle (Vic.). The two latter are now the sole survivors of that little band which set out from the green isle to work in this sun-kissed land for the cause of Jesus Christ. The late Dean worked faithfully and well in this State for 47 years, first as a curate in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and later on in Peterborough. When the Jesuit Fathers left Port Pirie he was appointed its first parish priest and labored there for 15 years. He was then appointed Irremovable Rector of Pekina, and honored with the title of Dean. Here he remained for close on 22 years, a zealous and unselfish pastor. Many long and weary journeys did he make in the saddle and oldtime buggy. In the palmiest days of his ministry the conveniences of travel were anything but comfortable, judged by our present standards. On Sundays and Holy Days and even week days he never omitted to celebrate Holy Mass. He was always at his post leading the way to Heaven. By example and by precept he pointed the way to the higher life and hope. No word that might scandalise an angel was ever heard from his lips. He was a man after God's own heart. Upon the grace he had received in baptism he built a magnificent superstructure of holiness.

What grace's and blessings did he bring to the people during all the years of his ministry? He took the infant from its mother's arms, and sanctified that child with the waters of Baptism. He prepared the little ones for Confession, and for their first Holy Communion. He turned from the poor sinner the thunderbolts of God's anger in the tribunal of penance. He went at all hours to the beside of the dying, whispering to them words of encouragement and consolation, preparing them for the awful moment of death. From the Altar of God he broke the Bread of Life. How often and how earnestly did he exhort the people to love and serve their God, to forsake sin, and practise virtue?

During all the years of his life, and especially during the 47 years of his priestly life, he bore an unblemished character, ever priestly, ever true to his calling. Yet in the face of all this, the natural Celtic character, the rash, quick temper of the proud Irishman broke out in him, and when that temper was roused he did not stop to think of what he said, or what he did; but side by side with that temper was a heart as soft and as tender as that of a young maiden. He was a model for priests and people. Is it any wonder that where-ever he labored, the young and old gathered lovingly around him? It is not necessary to go over the different stages of his useful and practical life. Though they are not written in stone and marble, they are indelibly traced on the hearts of a faithful people. Like the Good Shepherd, he gave his life for his flock. They were his joy and his crown. Note the coincidence. This very day twenty-two years ago I met him for the first time. He had just returned from a trip to his native country. He was my first parish Priest. From the storehouse of his wide practical experience, and his intimate knowledge of men and affairs, he imparted lessons in a manner singularly his own that trained me for the future. The observant curate could not but profit by his wise counsel, prudent direction, and incentive to virtue.

Gifted with an iron constitution, he never seemed to tire. Still, as years rolled by, mental debility clouded the closing years of his saintly life. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, like a thin rivulet oozing out drop by drop from a rock, his mind began to give way. His action at times puzzled his friends, sometimes pained them. Yet there were moments when his mind was as clear and lucid as in more youthful days. Still, for some considerable time prior to the end, the sweet consolation of offering the Holy Sacrifice for his people, departed parents, friends and relatives was denied him. Oh, what a loss to him, and to every Priest of God! Why? Because a Priest robed in the sacred vestments holds the place of Christ. "When a Priest celebrates, he honors God, gives joy to the Angels, edifies the Church, helps the living, obtains rest for the dead, and shares himself in every kind of grace." ("Imitation of Christ.")

We must, however, admit that his life was not a perfect one; nor is this to be affirmed of any mortal man. Only one, born of human parentage, the spotless Virgin Mary, our tainted Nature's solitary boast, is without blemish. Good friends in Christ, remember your devoted pastor, Think of his first sacrifice—leaving his home and country, forsaking every thing that man naturally holds dear—father, mother and friends. Think of the thousands of miles travelled in the exercise of his sacred ministry, the thousands of Confessions heard, and Masses offered up for the living and the dead, his sermons and instructions. Keep these things fresh and green. Keep his memory alive. Pray for him, dear brother Priests, and faithful people, at the Altar and during Mass. As often as you pass by his grave, pray for his soul. Teach the little ones to act likewise. Being his spiritual children he has a claim on you to intercede for him. It is the last and best tribute of love you can give him. Remember that he appears in the presence of that awful sanctity before which the very Angels tremble. Bear in mind that the just man falls seven times a day, and that no flesh is spotless in the sight of God. As a parting word, as a fitting farewell to a good pastor, a true friend, I again exhort you to remember him in your prayers. Let us pray: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him." "May he rest in peace."

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Fr Frank Cresp, Good and Faithful Servants: Recalling the Spirit of the Deceased Priests of the Diocese of Port Augusta and Port Pirie 1888-2008, 2008:
O'Connor, Thomas

Diocesan Consultor 1913.
Worked in Peterborough 1888-1890; Pt Pirie 1890-1905; Pekina 1908.
Died: 3/4/1928. Aged 82. Buried at Pekina.

(Reproduced with the approval of Sister Mary Cresp RSM)