It is with deep sorrow that we announce the untimely death of Mr John Joe Somers, the youngest son of the late esteemed John Somers of Issane, Ballysteen. The melancholic circumstances surrounding his passing occurred at the residence of his cousin, Mr Michael Casey, on Denmark Street, Limerick. At the age of only 37, Mr Somers had recently returned from a 15-year sojourn in America, with the hope of restoring his ailing health in the embrace of his native land’s gentle climate. Unfortunately, fate had other plans, for within a day of his arrival in the city from Queenstown, tragedy struck, marking the end of his journey.
Mr Somers had eagerly anticipated witnessing the cherished landscapes of his youth once more, but his aspirations were cruelly thwarted. On a fateful Sunday morning, a mere day after his homecoming, the promising life of the young exile was tragically cut short. While he had yearned to “see once again the dawn on the hills of Ireland,” destiny had decreed a different path, rendering his return to Bellvue a sombre occasion, with his eyes closed in the eternal sleep of death. Despite the heart-wrenching loss, a glimmer of consolation could be found in the fact that his beloved remains were laid to rest amidst his kin, allowing him to avoid an ocean grave.
In his time, the departed had been an active participant in Dublin’s grocery trade and was held in high esteem by his comrades. His stature as a worthy athlete was highlighted by his captaincy of one of the premier hurling clubs in the city during his residence there. In America, he resumed his business ventures and owned a reputable establishment in Washington. However, his health had deteriorated over time, prompting his return to his beloved homeland in pursuit of revitalization. Tragically, this hope was extinguished, as he exchanged one soil for another, taking his place in the hallowed ground of his birth.
The news of his passing has left a void in the hearts of his grieving friends, who fervently pray for solace for the departed soul. The funeral took place at Askeaton’s family burial ground on Tuesday, with the remains brought from Limerick the previous evening, resting overnight in the parish church. An extensive procession, met by shuttered shops in towns along the route, bore witness to the widespread sorrow that enveloped the community. Reverend E. Tracey and Reverend P. Hartigan presided over the solemn service. The chief mourners included his brothers, nephews, cousins, and numerous relatives, all gathered to bid a poignant farewell to a life extinguished too soon.
Among the mourners present were dignitaries such as Mr John Fitzgibbon, Dr Patrick Lynch, and other esteemed individuals from the surrounding area. The passing of Mr John J Somers serves as a sombre reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact one can leave behind, even in the face of adversity.
LIMERICK ECHO, TUESDAY 06 FEBRUARY 1906
