(Part Four)

The Death of Bernard McCauley (II)

The 1920 US census form documents Bernard McCauley as living with his sister Susan Carraher and her family; husband James Carraher, and the five boys Francis, James, Ignatius, (although the censes form indicates a Sylvester, this must have been an error.), Gerald and John.  They are living at 511 Wisher Street in the Bronx, NY.  At some point before December 7, 1923, the Family moves to 606 164^th Street in the Bronx.

The 1920 censes does not indicate Bernard is disabled at that time and identifies his occupation as a bricklayer.  As indicated in a previous post, the 1920 Censes also shows Bernard McCauley (III), age 7, and his brother Thomas, age 5, as residents in the Mount Loretto, an orphanage operated by the Catholic Church located on Staten Island, NY.  No matter the circumstances, it would have been an exceedingly difficult decision to have the boys admitted to the orphanage. 

1920 United States Censes Form

Bernard McCauley succumbs to his ailments on December 7, 1923. His death certificate indicates multiple locations of nerve damage, an enlarged heart and chronic kidney disease. His sister Susan Carraher is credited with taking loving care of Bernard while busy raising her own boys. She would plan for Benard’s funeral and kept his room and furniture for some time after his death.

With his wife Susan predeceased and then Bernard’s tragic death, It falls to Bernard’s sister to plan for his funeral and burial. Validated by the document below, Susan McCauley Carraher met with the funeral director and made the arrangements for her brother’s service. Bernard would have passed away on a Friday, December 7^{th, 1}923. A Catholic Mass was held at St Augustine’s church in the Bronx, NY. and was buried that same Monday December 10^th, 1923.  The date of this invoice is December 12^, 1923.  The services would have already occurred, and this represents the final invoice. 

The invoice indicates that obituary notices were placed in two Newspapers, The “World” and “Bronx Home News”.  Using the information, I was able to obtain a copy of the obituary from the New York Public Library as it was printed in the “Bronx Home News”.   From the information presented, it appears the funeral procession left from the Carraher’s home at 606 164^th Street.  I offer the conjecture that Bernard’s wake was also held in the home. A real Irish Wake.

Below is a Photo of St Augustine’s Church in the Bronx taken in 1914. It is the location where Bernard McCauley (II)’s funeral mass was held. More information on the church can be found at

St. Augustine’s Church (Bronx) – Wikiwand

Bernard McCauley (II) was buried alongside his wife Susan Reilly McCauley in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside NY., in section 55.  There is no stone marker currently.