JOHN J. AHERN DIED LAST SATURDAY NIGHT He Had Been Ill for the Past Few Months— Was Chairman of the Board of Park Commissioners Was Prominent in Politics for Many Years and Had Served as Councilman and Alderman —Born in Boston in 1861

John J. Ahern died Saturday evening at his home, 35 Blake street, after an illness of several months. Mr. Ahern's residence in North Cambridge was of a comparatively recent date, he having lived the greater part of his life in East Cambridge, where he was knows to almost every man, woman and child, although he was widely known throughout the whole city. He was born in Boston August 8, 1861, and was educated in the public schools of his native city. Early in life he acquired a thorough knowledge of the cabinet business and stuck to this line for ten years, during a part of which time he superintended construction of cars for the Meigs elevated railroad. Mr. Ahern became a citizen of Cambridge in January, 1883. While here he made a business connection with the Collier publishing house of New York city. They opened a branch house in the provinces, where he succeeded in establishing a large and profitable business. About 1892 Mr. Ahern embarked in business for himself, taking up real estate and insurance lines in which he had since continued. Mr. Ahern was up to a few years ago actively interested in politics, having served as councilman in 1895-96 and later as alderman. He was chairman of the board of park commissioners at the time of his death. He was a member of many societies including the Catholic union, St. John's Literary institute, Cambridge council, K.C., Cambridge lodge of Elks, the Quincy School association of Boston, the Chamber of Commerce, the A.O.H., Royal Arcanum and the North Cambridge Business Men's association. Mr. Ahern leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary (Flanagan) Ahern; two sons, Dr. John J. Ahern, Jr., and Thomas E. Ahern, and three daughters, Miss Helen M. Ahern, who was associated with her father in his business; Miss Mary F. Ahern, assistant supervisor of music in the public schools of this city, and Miss Katherine Ahern, who is to graduate from the state normal school in Bridgewater this month. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning in St. John's Catholic church. The mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Lawrence J. Glynn, with Rev. Fr. John R. McCool as deacon and Rev. Fr. Ambrose Dore as sub-deacon. Catholic clergy from all the churches in the vicinity were seated within the sanctuary. The palbearers included Mayor Quinn, Mayor's Clerk Edward A. Counihan, John H. Hurley, George F. McKelleget, Supt. of Parks John F. Donnelly, Supt. of Schools M. E. Fitzgerald and Ex-Mayor Walter C. Wardwell, who represented the common council of 1895 of which Mr. Ahern was a member. The honorary pallbearers were Exalted Ruler Frank T. Evans, representing Cambridge lodge of Elks; Grand Knight Anthony J. Sylvester, representing Cambridge council, K. of C.; Prof. Carroll W. Doten, representing the park commission; and Prof. W. F. Harris, representing the play and recreation commission. The ushers were Assessor John C. Haverty, Judge Edward A. Counihan, Edmund J. Brandon and Fred L. Donovan. During the mass Miss Mary McLaughlin, soloist, of Dorchester, sang several selections. The flags on the city hall and at all the parks in the city were flown at half mast for the day, in honor of Mr. Ahern. Among the prominent citizens present were Hon. Charles J. McIntire; Ex-Alderman Edward B. James, Clement G. Morgan and Stoughton Bell; James T. Barrett, president of the city council; Mrs. Charles Almy; Dr. Herbert A. Chase; Ex-Mayors Timothy W. Good, Augustine J. Daly and William F. Brooks; Samuel Prussian; Chief of Police John J. McBride; Fire Chief James M. Casey; Assessors Fallon and Casey; Ex-Councillor Alexander H. Bill; Asst. Supt. of Schools James Dugan; Edward Collier and Albert E. Lynch, of the library trustees; James J. Scully, chairman of the water board; Stephen H. Harrington, Allen W. Jackson and John F. Sullivan, of the park commission, Capt. James E. Murray, T. Harrison Cummings, T. C. O'Hearn, Felix McBride, Thomas O'Neil, Dr. W. A. Noonan, Dr. P. J. Finnegan, Edward F. Sullivan, Capt. John Canney, Daniel J. Toomey, Charles F. J. McCue, Edward J. Dunphy, Dr. Francis J. Smith, Dr. John E. Dwyer, C. Fred Pierce, John P. Gateley, David E. Lonergan, Fred B. Wheeler and Albert E. Lynch. Large delegations were also present from the Cambridge lodge of Elks, and Cambridge council, K. of C., as well as from several other organizations in which Mr. Ahern maintained memberships. Interment was in Cambridge cemetery.