A mean slice, a kind heart

He was formidable behind a tennis ball, That mean slice tricked many a player, even though he was of short stature at about 5 ft tall.

He arrived each Christmas morning with a kitbag of presents for all seven children plus our parents.

Surprisingly there were no major accidents and no-one was injured by his tendency to fall asleep at the wheel when driving.

His Catholic faith was central to his life.

This was our Uncle Joe.

Early years

Joseph Andrew Horgan was born on 21 April, 1910, in Alma, South Australia, to Elizabeth Agnes Smyth and Andrew Joseph Horgan. He was the third child in the family, with an older sister, Honora Mary who was 5 and a brother Edward John who was not yet two.

In his early childhood, Joseph lived on the family farm near Alma, South Australia. When he was 6 years old, he began his primary education at Alma South School, the same school his mother had attended. His sister and brother were already students there. In January 1917, his sister wrote a letter to the Southern Cross newspaper, saying: "Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars."

By 1921 Joseph continued the letter writing tradition noting: “My brother and I ride to school every day. The name of the pony is Beaver. We also have a little dog named Tiny. We have a pussy; her name is Snowy; she can jump very well. We had some friends staying with us from town. They went home to-day; we feel very lonely without them. It was fun to watch the little boy ride the pony. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. I think I am going to spend some of them with my uncle. I am 11 years old and in the fourth grade at school.” At the end of 1921 it appears that he was probably transferred to St Joseph’s Convent in Hamley Bridge.

Training to be a priest

St Patrick's Seminary Manly c. 1933

Joe started at St. Columba's College in Springwood, New South Wales, in 1931 to commence his preparatory studies towards becoming a priest. In the years 1933 - 35 he was listed as living in the seminary at St. Patrick's College in Manly, New South Wales, indicating a commitment to his priestly education. Joe’s mother Elizabeth died in 1934 while he was so far from home. There is no doubt that he would have had his brothers in faith praying for her soul. He was however destined to leave the seminary and return to South Australia.

Later years

After the sale of the Alma farm, Joe relocated to Mt Barker where he worked on a dairy farm with his father Andrew. This was a short term venture and by 1942 Andrew and Joe had returned to the Horgan farm near Linwood, where his brother Eddie was now living with his young family.

In 1951, Joe experienced another profound loss with the death of his father, Andrew Joseph Horgan, at the age of 82.  At some stage, years unknown, Joe was living in Port Lincoln, working nights in the post office.

Joe moved to a farmhouse near to the Horgan family farm. It had formerly been occupied by the O’Reilly family. Miss Annie McCorquindale took on the role of Joe’s housekeeper. Joe still liked to ride to the family farm on his horse and later visited regularly in his various vehicles. The track leading into that house has now been officially named Horgan Road,

Joe in front of his brother Eddie

Annie, his housekeeper died in 1973 so Joe ate many of his meals with Eddie and Hannah's family. In 1980 he moved to the house at 1 Prescott St. Tarlee, accompanied by his faithful dog.

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Joe Horgan on the left with his brother Eddie and Joe's ute

Senior Years

After living by himself for so long, Joe appreciated his move to Gilbert Valley Seniors Citizens home in Riverton. His nephew Maurice set up a dog kennel and seat under trees on his cousin Carmel McInerney's  block which was near the home. Joe spent a lot of time up there with his dog. On his 80th birthday Joe remarked:  "It was the best decision I  ever made to come here," much to the amusement of those nearby who had witnessed his reluctance at the time of the move.

As the years passed, Joe outlived his siblings. His sister, Mary, passed away in 1984, followed by his brother, Eddie in June 1992. 

Just three weeks after his brother’s death Joe passed away at age 82 on 27 June 1992. The friends and relatives revisited the cemetery at Navan near Riverton where Joe was laid to rest on June 30th alongside his sister Mary.

 

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin