No more painful duty has devolved upon us, in all our journalistic career, than that which we are compelled to discharge today in recording the death of Mr. John T. Roche, reporter of this paper, and one of the most popular and talented members of our staff.  He passed away at 9 o'clock last evening, after barely a week's illness, and before anyone but a few of his nearest and dearest friends had the least idea that he was dangerously ill.

"Johnnie", as we all familiarly called him, became a member of our staff about eighteen months ago.  He joined us on a recommendation from the Rev. Mr. Slattery, head of the Christian Brothers Community, from whom he received the excellent education which so well fitted him for the position he subsequently occupied.  His genial disposition and obliging manner soon endeared him to everyone in the office.  Even the newsboys expressed their delight when they saw "Johnnie" coming, and laughed heartily at his kindly greeting, as he always had something pleasant to say to them.

As a reporter, he was diligent, painstaking and indefatigable.  Being extensively read for a young man of his age - he was scarcely 20 - possessing a well-balanced mind, and a thorough knowledge of stenography, he could report, almost verbatim, the most rapid speaker; and, had Providence, in His inscrutable wisdom, though fit to spare his life, we believe he would have made one of the smartest journalists the colony has ever produced.

"Johnnie" was a native of Placentia.  His father, the late Mr. Edward Roche, occupied the office of telegraph operator there for many years.  His brother, Edward Roche, is an ecclesiastical student at All-Hallows College, Dublin.  He is a nephew of Thomas O'Rielly, Esq., J. P., and a cousin of the Rev. Dr. O'Rielly of this city.

We deeply sympathize with all his relatives and friends in the bereavement they have thus sustained by the almost sudden death of one so full of promise and with such a bright future before him.
 

At 8:30 o'clock this morning the mortal remains of Mr. John T. Roche, reporter of the evening Telegram staff, were taken to the Railway Station for conveyance to Placentia, the place of birth and the cherished home of childhood.  The remains were encased in a most beautiful casket, furnished by Mr. T. M. White, undertaker. The cortege was a respectable one.  Companions at the Alma Mater, St. Bonaventure's College, were pall bearers.  Next to

walked the editor, proprietor, and staff of the TELEGRAM, their countenances and bearing denoting the void they felt - the voice they loved is still. Also other press representatives and many citizens generally.  There accompanied the remains to Placentia: Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, Thos. O'Reilly, Esq., J. P., J. J. O'Reilly, Esq., the aunt who nursed him as his precious life ebbed away, and

At Placentia station the cortege was resumed, those there who held deceased dear attending in goodly numbers.  The funeral services were read by the Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, and there were many moist eyes and heaving breasts, of even the strongest men, as the remains were being interred - interred near the remains of his loved, lost and now

How cherished was the place of birth to the deceased!  To make his heart strings vibrate with gladness, it was only necessary to declare the arrival in the city of a Placentia man or schooner, or to recount the good actions of any one of them.  In addition to the exemplary characteristics of the deceased, pointed out yesterday, it is not amiss to state that he was

of the night school, under Dr. O'Reily, for those boys and young men who were denied education, or had suffered for want of opportunities; and was, too, secretary of the League of the Sacred Heart, being unanimously elected.  He has departed, and his friends grieve for him, and breathe a fervent prayer.  Yet all's well -