They had one son, Jeremiah, who was born in 1824. Joanna died and Dennis remarried to Agnes when Jeremiah was 10. They had no other children.
Bridget was a small woman. She was the daughter of Thomas Hartney and Margaret Egerty. She went to Mass every morning, carded wool and made clothes for her children and husband. She was 20 when she married (1861) and died in June 1920. She had a sister, Catherine (Mrs. Crowe) who had a daughter married to Maher. They had two daughters, Patti and Phyllis, who was a school director.
When Jeremiah was 20, he and his father agreed on a settlement so that Jeremiah could leave the farm and settle in Canada. He was a big man. He married Bridget in Levis, Quebec on February 14, 1854 when he was 30 years old. They had 10 children. He eventually settled in Montreal where he worked as a cruiser. He would inspect standing timber and plot out camp and how it was going to be cut. He and his crew came down with a fever for which he used quinine bark (most likely malonine). He recovered, but lost all his teeth. He was one of few to survive. He lived in St. Anne Parish and died in 1898. He bought a family plot in Cote Des Neiges Cemetery, in Montreal (Plot- Section P- #246) where he is buried. Bridget is not buried there. Also buried there are his daughter, Margaret, his son John (who paid $100.00 to have perpetual care provided), his wife Cecilia, and their children Leo, Cid, and Agnes (wife of Bernard).
Of the 10 children, some died in childbirth. Jeremiah and Bridget lived in Hamilton for a while and had Mary Ann, Martin, and Margaret. In Montreal they had Norah, John and Ester.
1. Mary Anne: - The eldest, she had scarlett fever and became deaf. She also had asthma. She never married. Died at 20 years of age.
2. Martin: - About 9 years older than John (1863?). Worked at the Gazette in Montreal as a typesetter. Left for St. Louis, Missouri, and died at 22 years of age (1885?).
3. Margaret: - Born in 1867?. Died of T.B. at 47 years of age in 1914.
4. Norah: - Married at age 19 to James Felix McMenamin who died at the age of 31 in 1899. His father had come from Ireland and had three other children. He worked for Redpath Sugar. He was married at 17 and lived on St. Patrick St. He later bought a cottage at 189 St. Charles St. and converted it into a two flat house. At the same time, his son James who married Norah built 187 next to him as a semi-detached house. Norah's mother Bridget, and her brother John, and sister Margaret all lived with her and her husband at 187. Later Norah and family moved to Redpath St.
They had 6 children: James, Nora, Daniel, Mary Ellen (Molly), Marguerite, and Susan.
5. John Joseph: - Born in 1872. Married Cecilia Catherine Dwyer 
when he was 30 and she was 25 (June 1902?). Her family was from Stoneham, Que. He was baptized at St. Rock's Church, Que. John began working at about the age of 13 in the grain elevators at the Port of Montreal. He contracted T.B. from the dust, but overcame it by walking up to the Mountain where he could get fresh air and expose his chest to the sun. Later he became a typographer at the Star and eventually went to the Montreal Gazette from which he retired in his seventy-second year. He was a warden of St. Gabriel's church, secretary of the Order of Foresters and an officer of his union. He was also a lead person in the founding of St. Malachy's Church after moving to the west end of Montreal. They had seven children: John, Frank, Cecilia (Cid), Eileen, Robert, Leo, and Bernard. He died May 24, 1947 at age 75 (heart).
His wife, Cecilia was born in 1877 and died Sept 11,1959 at age 82. She had rheumatoid arthritis in the knees. John built the flats at 181 St. Charles St. in Point St. Charles. Ester and Peter Conroy lived in the bottom flat. Later, they sold 181, and bought 187 and 189. When Frank was a teenager, the family moved to 4625 Earnscliffe Ave. in N.D.G.
John helped to look after Norah and her family after her husband died.
Cecilia worked as a secretary-bookkeeper for a drapery firm in Old Montreal. Her desk was close to a window and John on his way to work had an opportunity to appraise this gifted prize and caught her. She was a very hard worker, witty, and generous to relatives and neighbours. John was a very gentle and gregarious man, and used his talents to improve the family's well being. As parents, they expected and got proper behaviour from their children for the most part. But they gave them freedom to bring their friends home, allowed them to run fairs, build clubhouses, and have pets (including a monkey). They were a loving, good-humoured couple despite burdens of sickness and family problems, including financial ones. They were determined to give their children a good education (at that time, there were no public high schools so going to school cost money) so they could improve their lot in life.
6. Ester: - Married Peter Conroy and had two children: James who became an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and John Edward (Jed) who was killed in the war. Peter had a plumbing firm. The family bought and lived at 187 for a while, then moved to Redpath St. where Nora and family lived. James had a son.
1. John Daniel - Born Aug. 2, 1906 in Montreal. Married Aileen Zeller on Feb. 20, 1933 in Gull Lake Sask. Aileen Dorothy was born on 23 May, 1914, daughter of Robert Zeller and Helen Florence Dunne. She and John had one child, Cecilia. John tended to be shy, partly because he stuttered, but was determined and serious in the matters he considered important. He started work at McKim Advertising but became dissatisfied because his repeated calls for raises and advancement were not duly attended to. At about 20 years of age, he got a leave of absence to go west for the wheat harvest and fell in love with the vast areas and freedom. At 21 he left Montreal for good, a really sad event for the family. He worked for different farmers for a few years and then tried to run his own ranch. However, after three consecutive years of drought, he was forced back to work with sheep for ranchers nearby. One winter after a heavy snowfall, he was isolated in his little cabin and became snow blinded and was finally rescued by plane. John eventually started his own ranch, first raising sheep and then cattle. The ranch was 20 square miles in area, most of which was leased from the government. He retired very comfortably off. John was short in stature. Died November 28, 1982 (heart).
2. Francis Joseph - Born Oct. 11, 1907. Married Beryl Margaret Cooper (born Nov. 11, 1910) on Nov. 25, 1935.
Children: Margaret Eileen born Sept. 16, 1936; Peter John born May 12, 1938; Kathleen Anne born Nov. 15, 1939; Victoria Frances born Feb. 18, 1942 - died Feb. 20,1942; Daniel Joseph- born Feb. 5,1943 - died Feb. 5, 1943; Susan Beryl born March 7, 1947; and Sally Frances born March 7, 1947.
Frank was born in Montreal. Baptized on Oct. 13, 1907 at St. Gabriel's Parish by Rev. Wm. O'Meara. Sponsors were Benjamin Oldroyd and Mary Dwyer. He attended McGill where he graduated with a B.SC.(Mining Engineering) on May 29, 1930. He received the Dr. James Douglas Research Fellowship in Mining Engineering and the Undergraduates' Society's Third Prize for Summer Essay. He continued at McGill and received his MSC on May 29, 1931. He worked at the McIntyre Mine in Schumacher where he met Beryl. They dated for 8 years. They got engaged March 17, 1935 - an emerald ring. . When they were first married they lived at Omega Mines, one mile outside of Larder Lake, Ont. They moved to Val d'Or, Quebec in 1946 where Frank worked as Assistant Manager and then Manager of Sigma Mines until his death at the age of 58 on Sept. 13, 1966 (heart). Under his management, both Omega Mine and Sigma Mine were twice awarded the John T. Ryan Trophy for Safety.
His concern for the safety of his employees was so well know that after his death the mining industry established an annual award in his name. The F.J. O’Connell Trophee de Securite is given each year to the mine with the best safety record.
The twins, Susan and Sally were born in Montreal because medical services were better there and Beryl and Frank had already lost two children in Kirkland Lake.
Beryl passed away on November 6, 1999.
Frank was a hearty individual, a great tease, and able to fit into any situation. When he was about twelve, a near-tragedy occurred when he and John were playing cops and robbers with a real gun (which they were forbidden to use.) This gun had a bullet jammed in the barrel and was declared by police as unworkable. Frank aimed at John and the bullet fired and skimmed through John's scalp and off he went to the hospital while Frank had to explain to the police. The family was distraught and knelt to pray the rosary for John's safe return. Eileen was heard to pray "Dear Lord, take Frankie and leave Johnny" since Frank teased her so much.
3. Cid (Cecilia) Mary - Born Jan 27, 1910. Married Eric George Brooks,(born March 27, 1908(?)) on Sept. 21, 1940. Eric died at age 49 (heart) in 1957? They lived on Earnscliffe Ave. with Cid's parents, John and Cecilia. They had two boys, Eric and Bob. Cid died at age 76 on May 24, 1986 (heart). After Eric's death, Cid taught school and worked on her degree, which she earned in 1970, as did her son Bob.
Cid was a very loving girl and very smart at school. She seemed to enjoy the company of the young men who were always visiting. She became a schoolteacher but found it frustrating and hard to discipline the pupils, so she learned to operate a new type of accounting machine with much better prospects. She went to work at the Gazette where she met the love of her life, Eric. They didn't have much time together as he was away at war and then died so young. Growing up in the O'Connell family the younger children looked to Cid to intervene when they had trouble. She and Eileen were very helpful to their parents.
4. Eileen Margaret - Born Jan. 14, 1912. Married Thomas Arthur Wheatley (born Sept. 18, 1915) on May 1, 1943. Tom worked for the Canadian Aviation Insurance Managers, and attaining the position of Head of the firm. His abilities were so well recognized, that he had a nickname in the industry – "The Siver Fox", due, in part, to his silver hair. He was a convert to Catholicism and active in his church. He died of cancer on Feb. 7, 1978.
Eileen and Tom had five children: Michael, Christopher, Susan, Carolyn, and Thomas. Eileen developed rheumatoid arthritis soon after Tom's death, and had to leave her home. She lived for awhile in Ottawa with her daughter Susan and Susan’s husband Dale Nikiforuk and subsequently moved to a nursing home there. She underwent many operations on her joints - hands, feet, neck. She died on Oct. 12, 1987. She offered her suffering for the unborn.
Eileen was perhaps the smartest one in the household, and was a determined lass with great repartee. She became an operator of the same type of accounting machine as Cid but worked for an insurance company. This is where she met Tom, although no romance materialized until years later. After a few years on the machine, she yearned for a more productive career and decided to become a nurse. In those days that meant three years away from home at nursing school, with no pay and very little free time. She found her element in the hospital environment and after graduation was given the position of assistant head of nursing at St. Mary's hospital (the head had to be a nun).
5. Robert Emmett - Born February 23, 1913. Baptized at St. Gabriel Parish, Montreal. Married Marguerite Thelma Weiss, (born January 9, 1916, daughter of Mary Ethel Caney and George Weiss) on Sept. 20, 1941. They had one daughter, Carole Ann, whom he saw shortly after her birth while on leave during the war. His plane went down over the Atlantic shortly after his visit. He was declared missing and presumed dead on Feb. 3, 1945. A life jacket was recovered in the pocket of which they found Carole Ann’s birth certificate.
The Beau Brummel of the family, Bob thought he wanted to be a priest and spent a few years pursuing this path at Loyola High School. His teachers and he soon realized that this was not to be. After high school, he worked for the Benjamin News, a distributor of magazines and books and became manager of the book department. In those days, lending libraries were numerous and were the only means for most people to read books, loaned out at three to five cents a day.
Bob had an active social life and therefore was prone to sneaking out with the family car whenever he could. Many a time, members of the family, including his parents, were left waiting long after the time he was supposed to pick them up. Boy, you should have heard his excuses!
6. Leo Patrick - Born June 23,1915. Married Margaret Matilde Theresa LaRiviere who was a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal on June 21, 1939. (A secret marriage because nurses were not allowed to marry before graduation). Margaret, the daughter of Zephir LaRiviere and Mary Agnes O'Brien, was born in St. John, N.B. on October 14, 1915. They had two children, Kevin and Maureen.
When he was quite young, Leo was subject to convulsions. It became a serious family matter and after frustration with the medical profession, the intervention of the famous Brother Andre was sought. After three sessions with the reverend Brother, an improvement was apparent. In his youth Leo was an introvert, but after taking up weight lifting he became much more aggressive. After high school, he took teacher training, became a well-regarded teacher, principal, and eventually reached the rank of Assistant Director of English Schools for the Montreal Catholic School Commission. He was eligible for retirement at the age of 52. He and Margaret retired to the Laurentians where they had a beautiful stone home at Lac des Seigneurs, Ste. Anne-Des-Lacs, Quebec. He died on January 31, 1986. Margaret moved to a nursing home in St. John, N.B. to be near family and died there February 9, 1995.
7. Bernard William - Born Aug. 23, 1917. Married Agnes Munro, daughter of John and Dorothy (born July 3, 1915) on Nov. 14, 1942. They had three children: Mary Jean (Feb. 11, 1946), Greg (Feb. 25, 1948), and Ann (May 9, 1959). They built a new home in Dorval in 1954. Agnes' parents lived with their family. Agnes died in Lisbon, Portugal on Sept. 28, 1985, while on holidays, at the age of 70.
Bernard began working following High School and a Commercial Course as Secretary-chauffeur for a contractor. He left this position after his boss attempted to extend his duties to walking the dog and lighting the hot water heater on his way to work in the morning. He worked for a time at the C.N.R. where he met Agnes and fell in love. He stayed with them until he had put in enough service to obtain a free pass to travel West which included a visit with his brother, John, in Saskatchewan. Most of his career was spent with Canadian Industries Ltd. (C.I.L.), first in Brownsburg and later in Montreal where he studied to obtain his Bachelor of Commerce through night courses. He held a variety of accounting positions with various divisions including special studies relating to acquiring and disposal of businesses. He retired at the age of 62 in 1979.
Bernard has always been active in his parish and community. He was a founder of St. Veronica's Parish and a Warden for many years. He is a Minister of the Eucharist and a volunteer for Meals of Wheels, as well as the Treasurer for Birthright.
E1 John Daniel's Family
They had 6 children: Lauren Faith (23 May,1957?), Kathryn Ann (22 Mar, 1959), Robert Scott (17 Mar., 1961), Janet Rae (26 June, 1967), Lisa Marie (1 Dec. 1969), and Kristin Lynn (20 Sept., 1977).
E2 Frank's Family
They had three children: Crystal - Oct. 3, 1961; Michael - Sept. 6. 1963; and Patrick - Aug. 24, 1965
Peter was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, and grew up in Val dOr, Quebec, He finished High School at De La Salle in Toronto and attended McGill and Dalhousie. He was involved in mining in Gowganda, Belleterre and Cap de la Madeleine, Que. Peter moved to the Brownsburg, Quebec area and worked there for Safety Fuse, a CIL company. While attending an explosives distributors convention in Barbados he met Birgit Ettie Kiel (who had one son, Troels Robert Kiel - born Feb. 11, 1971 in Vancouver, B.C.), and in 1984 moved to the Island. They married on Dec. 28, 1985 and worked together running Crawford Explosives Ltd. They moved out to Campbell River, B.C. and spent their retirement years there and at the cottage he built in the mid 70s at Lac au Loup in the Laurentians. Peter died after a short battle with cancer on October 15th, 2003.
They have two children: Maureen Frances (Aug. 2, 1970) and William Edward (Nov. 11, 1971)
E3 Cecilia's Family
Eric's work for CIL took the family to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Calgary, and then Montreal. He left the company in 1975 to purchase his own business, Welland Chemical. Welland has expanded both from internal growth and through acquisitions. Eric is the President of the successor to Welland, Nitrochem.
Mary and Eric had two children: James Eric - Nov. 26, 1965; and Jacqueline Marie Brooks - Sept. 15, 1967
Bob has had a varied career, working in banking, packaged goods marketing, as Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer for McGuinness Distillers, as Vice-President of Business Development with Syntex Pharmaceuticals, and as a consultant. Bob is Currently President of Drastic Technologies Ltd.
E4 Eileen's Family
E5 Leo's Family
Kevin was an accomplished athlete. He was hired by the Canadian forces to train troops in mountain climbing, and was given the temporary rank of Major.
Kevin was killed in an avalanche while mountain climbing on Huascaran, the highest mountain in Peru on July 8, 1984. He and Christine had one daughter - Zyanna Tara, born October 9, 1983. Christine is teaching in Montreal.
E6 Robert's Family
E7 Bernard's Family
Greg graduated with a BSc. from Loyala College in 1969 and McGill University with his M.D. in 1973. After working in Papua New Guinea with CUSO, Greg returned to Canada and went on to obtain a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a sub-specialty in Gynecological Oncology and further studies in Biostatistics and Epidimiology at McMaster University in Hamilton.
Greg set up practice as a gynecologic oncologist in Hamilton, Ont. and was an Associate Professor at McMaster University.
He and Maureen, a nurse by training, were given the Canadian Cancer Society's National Medal of Courage for 1997. Together, they were the driving force in establishing the Wellwood Resource Centre of Hamilton which provides supportive care programs for informational, emotional, and spiritual needs of all people living with and affected by cancer.
Greg died after a long struggle with cancer on October 4, 1998. Read the tributes to Greg which appeared in the Hamilton Spectator and the Wellwood Center newsletter.
Maureen is now a beekeeper and makes delicious honey. Both Caitlin and Eammon are at Guelph University.
F1 Eric and Mary Brooks' Family
1. James Eric Brooks - Born on Nov. 26, 1965 in Calgary, Alberta. James married Lara Rosenberg on Aug 1 1998. They have three boys: Jacob John Eric born April 12 2000, Joshua Robert born May 17 2002, and Jonathan Richard born Sept 11, 2003. James, a brilliant programmer, is Chief Technology Officer for Drastic Technologies.
2. Jacqueline Marie Brooks - Born on Sept. 15, 1967 in Edmonton Alberta. Jacqueline is a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team with a silver medal from the 2003 Pan American Games. She makes her living training competitive horses and riders at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy outside Newmarket Ontario and is currently the 4th ranked Canadian International Grand Prix dressage rider and 55th out of the top 500 listed riders in the world.
F2 Cecile & Russ Johnston's Family
1. Lauren Faith - Born on May 23, 1957 in Regina, Sask. Married Robert Ryan on July 27, 1991 in Regina, Sask. Lauren and Rob live on a small ranch east of Regina where they raise purebred Charolais cattle. They also work in Regina where Lauren is the controller for a large Ford auto dealership and Rob is the manager for an international trucking firm.
2. Kathryn Ann - born on March 22, 1959 in Regina, Sask. Married Jean-Rene Joseph Berube, (born April 29, 1961, son of Tancrede Berube) in Lethbridge, Alberta on 22 Sept., 1984. They have three children: Michael Alain, born May 15, 1989 in Toronto, Ont.; Daniel James, born February 19, 1991 in Vancouver, B.C.; and Rachelle Elyse, born October 4., 1994 in Calgary, AB.
The family lives in Fort McMurray. Kathy teaches piano and JR is the head respiratory therapist at the Regional Hospital.
3. Robert Scott - Born on March 17, 1961 in Regina Sask. Married Dawna Marie Gale (born November 15, 1961) daughter of Nord Gale and Joan Reynolds. They have four children: Laura Anne, born January 31, 1984 in Provo, Utah; Carolyn Marie, born July11, 1985 in Stettler AB; Melissa Mae, born February 9, 1988 in Stettler AB; and Meagan Leigh, born April 12, 1994 in Quincy Ill.
The family live in Indianapolis where Robert is a statistician with a large pharmaceutical firm. He is also completing his doctorate in statistical science.
4. Janet Rae - Born on June 26, 1967 in Regina Sask. Married Rodney Allan Koide (born March 20, 1968 in Kelowna B.C.) at Cardston AB on 18 Feb., 1994. Rodney is son of Richard Koide. They have three children: Chieko Cecilia, born February 28., 1995 in Stettler AB, Makayla Rae, born February 12., 1997 in Stettler AB., and Jessica, born September 21, 1998.
They live in Castor, AB, where Rod is employed as an operator with Baytex Energy in the "oil patch" and Janet is a stay-at-home mom.
5. Lisa Marie - Born on December 1., 1969 in Regina, Sask. Married to John Dee Taylor on June 18, 1994 in Cardston, AB. They have one child: Joshua Lee, born March 28, 1995 in Calgary AB. They live in Torrington Ab and are expecting a second child soon. Lisa commutes to Calgary to work and John is employed in the health care field.
6. Kristin Lynne - Born on September 20., 1977 in Stettler, AB. She is enrolled in theatre Studies at Red Deer College.
F3 Peter O'Connell's Family
1. Crystal Darlene Margaret - Born on October 3, 1961 in Hawkesbury, Ont. Graduated from Queens University in 1984 in Computer Science. Presently works for Mitel in Ottawa. She and partner, Mike Hall live in Arnprior, Ont., and have three children: Ryan Silas Hall, born March 26, 1993, Ashton Cooper Hall, born April 13, 1996, and Dustin Patrick Hall, born July 22, 1999 in Ottawa.
2. Michael Francis - Born September. 6, 1963 in Hawkesbury, Ont. Married LeeAnn Proulx June 2, 1989 in Calumet, Quebec. They live in Grenville, Que. and have two boys: Christopher Kenneth, born March 21, 1993 and Benjamin Joey, born December 13, 1995. Michael works for Tulmar.
3. Patrick Cooper - Born Aug. 24, 1965 in Haileybury, Ont. Peter and Joyce were living in Gowganda, Ont. at the time. Patrick worked for Moden Excavation Co. in Herrington. He died tragically on December 24, 1998 in Calumet, Quebec.
F4 Kathleen O'Connell's Family
1. Maureen Frances - Aug. 2, 1970, Haileybury, Ont. Baptized by Rev. M.J. Scully on Oct. 11, 1970, at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in New Liskeard, Ont. Godparents were Margie O'Connell and John Buchan. Further education at Queen's and Carleton. She is presently working in Ottawa in the Social Services field.
2. William Edward (Bill) – Born on Nov. 11, 1971, Haileybury. Baptized at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in New Liskeard, Ont. by Rev. M.J. Scully on Dec 5, 1971. The godparents were Ed and Donna Mate. Further education at Carleton in Ottawa where he worked summers with the Governor. General's footguards. Bill completed a transport driving course in early 2002, and is currently working as a transport driver.
F5 Mary Jean & Kevin O'Hara's Family
1. Matthew John - Born on December 29, 1971. Graduated from Loyola, Montreal. Mathew has had several jobs in the brewing industry, most recently as head brewer of a small brewery. Mathew married Elke Meyfarth (born May 17, 1972) on September 2, 2000. He is presently working in Montreal.
2. Sean Christopher - Born on July 21, 1974. Graduated from CEGEP in photography and is presently working in Montreal in record distribution.
3. Liam Bernard - Born on April 5, 1979. Presently attending CEGEP.
