The Late Rev. Felix Conlon S.J. Requiem Mass at Hawthorn Large Body of Clergy Present, Advocate, Melbourne, 2 February 1933, p 20, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171795587:
There was a large congregation at a Solemn Office and Requiem Mass celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenferrie-road, Hawthorn, on Tuesday morning for the repose of the soul of Rev. Felix Conlon, S.J., late of Xavier College, Kew, who was accidentally drowned at Avoca (N.S.W.) recently. Among those present were representatives of different Orders of nuns, Carmelite students, members of the Xaverians' Association, pupils of Xavier College, Kew, and of St. Joseph's School for Girls, Hawthorn, and members of Church sodalities and societies in Hawthorn and Kew.
Impressive Solemn Office.
More than 60 members of the regular and parochial clergy in the Archdiocese attended, including Right Rev. Monsignor J. Lonergan, Adm.; Very Rev. F. Power, O.C.C., Commissary-General: Very Rev. John Fahy, S.J., Vice-Provincial of the Jesuit Order in Australia; and Very Rev. Prior Curran, O.P. The chanters of the Solemn Office were: Rev. W. Ebsworth, P.P.; Rev. F. Conlon, P.P.; Rev. John Egan, S.J.; and Rev. T. Montague, S.J., with the body of priests forming the choir. The chanting was deeply impressive. The Lessons were read by Very Rev. F. Power, O.C.C.; Very Rev. Prior Curran, O.P.; and Very Rev. John Fahy, S.J. The celebrant of the Requiem Mass was Very Rev. F.X. O'Brien, S.J., Rector of Xavier College, Kew, with Rev. John Martin, S.J., deacon; Rev. Robert McCarthy, S.J., sub-deacon; and Rev. F. Greenan, D.D., master of ceremonies. The Final Blessing at the catafalque was given by Very Rev. Fr. O'Brien, assisted by Rev. Frs. Martin, McCarthy, and Greenan.
Panegyric By Fr. J. Sullivan, S.J.
The Very Rev. Jeremiah Sullivan, S.J., Superior of the Immaculate Conception parish, Hawthorn, who paid an eloquent tribute to the late Fr. Conlon, said it was very appropriate that the obsequies should be held in the Immaculate Conception Church, where Fr. Conlon often offered the Sacrifice of the Mass, and where he also often assisted at the ceremonies during Holy Week. Fr. Conlon was not well known to many of the parishioners, who, however, had opportunities of seeing him frequently in the Immaculate Conception Church. The tragic circumstances of his death moved them all, and they regretted his loss exceedingly. At the same time they rejoiced, for "greater love than this no man hath, that a man should lay down his life for his friend." When a call came to assist those who were in peril of their lives in the angry surf, Fr. Conlon and his companions did not hesitate, but went out to do what they could. It was just what they would expect of Fr. Conlon. For 30 years he had known Fr. Conlon, who had a bright and happy disposition and radiated happiness wherever he went. In the classroom and playgrounds Fr. Conlon was much liked, and he was invariably dux of his class and head of his sodality. It was no surprise when he resolved to become a priest. During all his long years of study for the priesthood, Fr. Conlon was a prime favourite, and when he returned to Australia he endeared himself to everybody with his charming personality and his amiable and happy disposition. The present and past boys of Xavier College and those whom he met on the sporting field or river were all attracted towards Fr. Conlon. At his death a wave of sympathy went out to the Fathers at Xavier, who lost a very dear friend. Through all the years of his religious life Fr. Conlon set himself out to please others, and never thought of himself. He took part in the school recreations and amusements, and his life was a very full one. Those of them who knew him well missed him very much, and they sent their deepest sympathy to the relatives. Fr. V. Conlon, of Riverview College, Sydney, was a brother, and he had suffered a great blow by the death of one who was very dear to him. The Jesuit Fathers were thankful to the religious Orders, the students of the Carmelite Order, and all those who had sympathised with the lamented death of Fr. Conlon. Like the Jesuit Fathers, all who knew Fr. Conlon had lost a bright and cheerful companion, who would be very hard to replace. At the early age of 44 Fr. Conlon had gone to his reward, and they had no misgivings about him. There might be some slight faults to atone for, as Fr. Conlon was human like themselves. He would ask them, then, to offer their prayers for Fr. Conlon, who, he was sure, would be ready to do a kindly act for them before the Throne of God. Fr. Conlon sacrificed his life for others, and he hoped he would be long remembered in their prayers. May his dear soul rest in peace. Amen.
Solemn Office and Requiem in Sydney.
A Solemn Office and Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Fr. Conlon was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Ridge-street, North Sydney, on Wednesday, January 25. The Very Rev. E. O'Brien (Mosman) presided in the sanctuary. The celebrant of the Requiem Mass was the Rev. M. Ryan, M.S.C. (a classmate of the dead priest at St. Ignatius' College, Riverview). The Rev. Frs. T. A. Walsh, S.J., and D. Furlong acted as deacon and sub-deacon respectively, and the Rev. J. Ferrari was master of ceremonies. The last absolutions at the catafalque were given by the celebrant of the Mass. R.I.P.
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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Conlon, Felix
Teacher; born Maclean, NSW, 22 January 1888; died Avoca Beach, Gosford, NSW, 19 January 1933, aged 44.
Felix Conlon, brother of Vincent, was educated at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, and in 1906 was prefect of the Sodality of the BVM, a good student, and enthusiastic about sport. He showed the qualities of all-unconscious candour and singleness of purpose. He had a bright personality and was placid.
He entered the Society, 8 June 1907, and was at Tullamore for his noviceship under James Murphy and Michael Browne. His juniorate in Latin and Greek followed at Milltown Park, Dublin, with philosophy at Louvain and Gemert, 1912-15. Regency was first at Xavier College, 1916-17, where he was also involved with discipline, rowing and the choir, and then, at Riverview, 1917-20, where he was third prefect, editor of the Alma Mater, and director of the junior debating.
He returned to Milltown Park for theology, 1920-24, and was ordained after two years. Tertianship was at Paray-le-Monial, before returning to Xavier College, 1926-32, teaching classics, French and history, as well as being involved with rowing, and prefecting. He was rowing master when Xavier College won the Head of the River for the first and second times, 1928 and 1929. In 1933, he was socius to the master of novices at Loyola College, Greenwich, Sydney.
It was during this year that he drowned while trying to save the life of a boy when on villa on the NSW north coast. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Award in Silver by the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia.
Conlon was a small, quiet, shy, good humoured and very gentlemanly man, rather scrupulously inclined, simple, but cheerfully dedicated to the task in hand. He was an extremely painstaking teacher, a very edifying man, strongly spiritual, and much loved by those who knew him.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)