FATHER CLEMENT ANSWERED HIS LAST CALL YESTERDAY

THE LATE FATHER CLEMENT.

Father Clement, for many years a familiar and much-loved figure in Honolulu, passed away early yesterday morning at the Catholic Mission. He has been in failing health for some…

(PCA, 6/11/1909, p. 1)

…time past, yesterday succumbing to old age. Hundreds will miss his bent, kindly form, hundreds will be the worse for his passing. Year in and year out he has worked hard and well in and around Honolulu, until the decades rolled around to form nearly half a century of his life spent here.

Born June 9, 1832, Father Clement was exactly 77 years of age when he died. He came to the Islands first in 1863. He worked as a deacon on the Island of Hawaii with Father Damien, who later died on Molokai. In 1882 Father Clement came to Honolulu. While on Hawaii he was in charge of the work in Kohala, Puna and Kau.

His first work here was in charge of St. Louis College. Afterward he was assistant priest at the Cathedral, and had charge of the Kalihi, Moanalua, and Punahou chapels.

He was a regular visitor at the Queen’s Hospital, where he ministered to the sick every day, his calls being regular as clockwork. He was also a well-known figure among the inmates of the prison, the asylum for the insane, and the Kalihi receiving station.

Until recently Father Clement had charge of the chapel at Waikiki and at Kalihiwaena. He was to be seen riding on his old horse to the services at these places every day, rain or shine, whenever they were held. Changes in the weather made little difference with the venerable priest. His thoughts were always of the little flock to whom he ministered.

Father Clement was conscious up until the evening before he died, passing away with little or no suffering. His only known relative is a nephew, a Jesuit missionary, now on the Island of Ceylon.

Solemn requiem mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Fort street this morning, after which the remains will be interred in the King street cemetery.

(PCA, 6/11/1909, p. 4)