Help Us Rebuild History at the Saint-Colomban Cemetery!

Join us in preserving the rich heritage of the Saint-Colomban Cemetery by supporting our fundraising campaign to rebuild the crumbling wall that safeguards numerous historic monuments. Together, we can ensure the protection and restoration of this sacred site for generations to come.

The Need

The existing wall supporting the monuments in the Saint-Colomban Cemetery is deteriorating, putting at risk the precious monuments that bear witness to the history of this cherished community. Without prompt intervention, these irreplaceable artifacts may be lost forever. We aim to raise $30,000 to rebuild the wall and safeguard the memory of the past.

Our Goal

With your generous contributions, we will rebuild the wall, reinforcing its structural integrity and preserving the historic monuments within its protective embrace. Your support will directly impact the preservation of this sacred space, enabling future generations to connect with their ancestors and appreciate the heritage that defines us.

Why it Matters

The Saint-Colomban Cemetery is not just a resting place for the departed but also a living testament to the cultural and historical legacy of our community. By rebuilding the wall, we are not only honoring the memory of those who came before us but also ensuring that their stories and contributions endure.

Join Us

Help us reach our $30,000 goal by making a donation today! Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant impact on the restoration of this sacred site. Together, let's watch the thermometer rise as we strive to rebuild history, one brick at a time.

Donate and Make a Difference

Visit our donation form to make a secure online donation. You can also contribute by sending a cheque to CIMPN at 61 rue Somerset, Baie D’Urfe, Quebec, Canada, H9X 2V8. Let's work together to rebuild the wall and preserve the remarkable legacy of the Saint-Colomban Cemetery.

Thank you for your support and for joining us in this important endeavor. Together, we can ensure that the past continues to inspire and educate future generations.

Funchion, Kenna & Phelan Notes

SC-Irish Admin - Tue, 10/13/2020 - 14:35

Gerald Phelan, who was Post Master in St. Columban for at least 40 years, never married. His sister, Jessie Phelan, lived in the same house at the four corners in St. Columban. She also never married. Gerald died before Jessie. Gerald Phelan donated the land that the cemetery is on to the church. Gerald and Jessie had siblings who moved south to Massachusetts. There was a second family of Phelans who owned the next farm to Gerald Phelan's. There were three brothers and at least one sister, but the brother who stayed on the farm was Patrick Phelan. He is buried next to my parent's grave in St. Columban. His brother William moved into Montreal and worked for Dow Brewery as did my father. Their other brother, Maurice, moved to Chicago. There are still descendants of Maurice living in Chicago. William's daughter, Noreen Dubord, could give you much more info into her side of the Phelan family. The sister's name that I recall was Sadie Phelan. I believe that she died while in her twenties.

On the Funchion side, my grandfather, Martin Funchion, was the only brother to stay in St. Columban. I believe that he had 4 or 5 other brothers who moved away. One went to New York State somewhere, another moved to somewhere in Ohio, another moved to Alberta, and I don't know where the others ended up. The Funchion farm was sold by my father to pay off the debts of his brother. The three Funchion siblings who lived and grew up in St. Columban were my dad, John, his brother Richard, and his sister Mary. Richard never married, and had no children. Mary married John Kenna, and they had three daughters, Mae, Jean, and Joan. Jean & Joan are twins, and they still live in St. Columban. Mae Kenna married Jim Templeman of Montreal. Mae has two daughters. Joan Kenna never married, but her twin sister Jean married Ernest Kutchko. Jean and Ernest had three children, all of whom still reside in St. Columban.

The farm which Pat Phelan owned was sold to my mother's brother, Leslie Cooper. His son Barry still owns the farm that belonged to Pat Phelan. The last time that I was in St. Columban, the barns from the Phelan farm were still standing.

Tim Funchion