Page Header: Parish Logo and Social Media

Our Stained Glass Windows


Stained Glass Windows

 

​St. Patrick's Church Wildfield is adorned with stained glass windows behind the altar that were installed in commemoration of Eliza and Alexander Gough. Their names are placed at the bottom of each stained glass in their honour. 

 

The obituaries for Eliza and Alexander Gough as published at the time of their passing are reprinted below.

 

GOUGH, Eliza (nee: McMAHON)

Born: 1824 in Abbeyleix, Queens County (Laios Co.), Ireland Died: 19 Aug 1891 in Peterborough, Ontario


OBITUARIES:

The Irish Canadian, Thursday, August 27, 1891.--Death ofMI'S. Gough.-With sincere regret we announce the death of Mrs. Eliza Gough, wife of our old and esteemed friend, Mr. Alexander [sic.] Gough, of Kleinberg. The sad event happened on Wednesday, August 19th, at Peterborough, where Mrs. Gough had latterly resided with her family. She was ill for about two weeks; but till within a few days of her death nothing serious in her condition was apprehended. From the first hour of her illness, however, she had prepared herself for the solemn change from time to eternity. A devout Catholic all her life, she had early learned to bear her cross with fortitude; and when she received the final summons, she bowed in pious resignation to the Divine Will, and yearned for the blissful rest beyond the grave. And tenderly was she cared in her last moments. His Lordship Bishop O'Connor made frequent calls; and the Priests of St. Peter's were unremitting in their attentions--Father Dube evincing a tenderness and solicitude rare even in one of his holy calling. The good nuns were also constantly in attendance at the bedside of the sufferer, consoling and sustaining her till the vital spark had fled. Her death was most edifying. Surrounded by an affectionate family and loving friends, her pure soul passed peacefully to its reward.

Mrs. Gough (whose maiden name was McMahon) was born in the Queen's Co., Ireland, in 1824. When eleven years old she came with her mother to Canada and settled at the Gore of Toronto. In 1845 she married, and for nearly half a century enjoyed all the blessings of happy wedded life. Her husband was all that could be desired as a partner of her joys and sorrows. He was upright, thrifty, and devotedly attached to his wife and children. Of the latter there were ten­-seven sons and three daughters. Of the sons five survive: Bernard, now in business at Brantford; E. D., of Toronto, Gus and Richard, of Peterborough; and Charles, who resides in North Carolina, U.S. The daughters are: Mrs. T. J. Day, of Guelph; Mrs. 1. J. Walsh, of Stratford; and Miss Mary Gough. The chief care of the mother of this large family was to rear them as she herself had been reared, as practical Catholics and set before them examples of honesty and purity that would never be forgotten. She was a woman possessed of sound judgment and her counsel was seldom at fault. Generous and charitable, she had often relieved those in need; while her goodness of heart and grace of disposition had made her home and its surroundings attractive and agreeable to friend and stranger alike.

The remains were taken to the family burial ground at the Gore of Toronto and laid beside beloved ones departed. Rev. Fathers McSpirit and Whitney administering the last sad rites of the death. To Mr. Gough and his family we offer our sympathy, which is felt by all who had known and admired the virtues of the deceased. May her soul rest in peace.

 

 

GOUGH, Alexander, J. P.

Born: 1819 in Kingston, Ontario

Died: 30 Apr 1896 in Kleinberg, Vaughan Township, York West County, Ontario

Buried: 4 May 1896 in Ebenezer United Cemetery, Kleinberg Family Plot, Toronto Gore Twp., Peel County, Ontario


OBITUARIES:

The Daily Examiner. Peterborough, Friday, May 1, 1896. -- DEATH OF MR. ALEXANDER GOUGH-An Old and Highly Respected Canadian Passes Away. -- Last night at the family residence, 379 Hunter street, Mr. Alexander Gough, father of our well known citizens, Messrs. R. P. and A. J. Gough, departed this life after a somewhat protracted illness. The deceased had not been in good health since an attack of inflammation of the lungs last fall, but, though he apparently recovered, the infirmities of advancing age affected his weakened constitution and death came as stated last night. Mr. Gough, at the time of his death, was in his 77th year, having been born at Kingston in 1819. There he remained till about the age of 26 years, when he removed to Kleinberg, York County, where he carried on a large cooperage business and stave factory. Incidentally, during his business career, engaging in lumbering in the Parry Sound District. Five years ago Mr. Gough retired from active business and removed to Peterborough, where shortly after Mrs. Gough died. Mr. Gough was married about 49 years ago to Miss Eliza McMahon, and to this union were born ten children--seven boys and three girls. Of these the latter are all living - Mrs. T. J. Day, Guelph; Mrs. J. J. Walsh, Stratford, and Miss Mary Gough.

The surviving sons are Mr. E. D. Gough, Belleville; Mr. B. J. Gough, Lindsay; Mr. Charles A. Gough, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and Messrs. A. J. and R. P. Gough, of Peterborough.

Mr. Gough was a gentleman whose qualities of character, won him the highest respect of the community in which he passed over half a century of his life. He was a native of Canada, and took great pride in his nationality, and was active and earnest in promoting the interests of his country. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition and did not seek positions of public prominence. In the township of Vaughan, where he resided, he was repeatedly presented with influential requisitions asking him to be a candidate for the Reeveship, but he declined to enter public life. He was a most pronounced Reformer--one of the advanced types who are sometimes called "Grits." He was a faithful reader of the Globe and was a subscriber from the time of its establishment. He was an active worker in the cause of Reform, and was for several years president of the Reform Association of Vaughan, and was in every way active in promoting the principles he so strongly held. Mr. Gough also took a prominent part in services of his country during the troublesome times of 1837·38. He shouldered his musket and served under Col. Hamilton till the close of the troubles. He was young then, and though he sympathized with the aspirations of those who were aiming to secure responsible government, he did not sympathize with their methods and was faithful to constituted authority. The rest of his life was spent in earnest endeavors to give the county the best results of the blessings that came from the establishment of responsible government. He always had a patriotic pride in being a Canadian and in the fact that he had had the honour of wearing the Queen's uniform. He lived a life that brought him the highest respect and esteem of all who knew him, whether they agreed with or opposed his political opinions.

The funeral will take place from the family residence, 379 Hunter street, on Monday morning to the C. P. R. station, at 4.42, and thence to Kleinberg, [sic.] where interment will be made in the family burial plot.