Person Page - 4803

Mrs. M. P. Toomey Died On Tuesday
Mrs. Tyrella A. Toomey, widow of Michael P. Toomey, died Tuesday afternoon at Helmuth following an extended illness.
     Eighty-four years old, Mrs. Toomey was a native of Forestville and had lived in Dunkirk for 52 years, coming here from Buffalo. Her residence was at 438 Washington Avenue.
     Mrs. Toomey was a member of St. Mary’s church and was a charter member of Court St. Catherine 250, Catholic Daughters of America.
     Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Alice Graser of Buffalo, Mrs. Leanora Redwing of Staten Island, and Mrs. Tyrella Mosher of Fredonia; a son, Edward Toomey of Coral Gables, Fla. Ten grandchildren also survive.

—The Evening Observer, Dunkirk, N.Y., 14 Sep 1955

Michael P. Toomey Dies On Seat Of His Racing Sulky
72-year-old Horseman Falls to Track During Workout At County Fair Grounds.
Michael P. Toomey, 438 Washington avenue, died in the seat of his sulky behind his trotter, Bandon Bell, at 10:15 this morning as he was bringing the horse in from a morning workout at the Chautauqua county fair grounds.
     Other horsemen who had been with Mr. Toomey on the track, some of whom saw him topple from the sulky, believe that his death occurred before he fell to the ground. Coroner George E. Blood after investigating the accident stated that death was apparently due either to heart failure or to a stroke.
     Russell Eckman of Butler, Pa., driving another horse, was immediately behind Mr. Toomey. Others in the party returning from the half-mile track were F. L. Bowman of North East, Pa., and his son, Harold Bowman of St. Petersburg, Fla. On the road just north ot the group of stab!es being used as training quarters, Mr. Eckman saw Mr. Toomey slump in his seat and fall to the ground. Mr. Eckman and several others who were in or near the stables rushed to Toomey's side but life was extinct before they could reach him. Dr. Joseph Rieger was called.
     Tho horse, startled by the occurrence, ran a short distance circling toward the stables where she stopped.
     Mr. Toomey was 72 years old and took a great deal of pleasure in working with horses. He was proud ot the two-year-old fllly, Bandon Bell, and the progress she was making under his guidance. His companions on the track this morning say that he appeared to be in excellent spirits and taking his usual enjoyment in the work-out perlod. His death, while a shock to his many friends and relatives, came as Mr. Toomey had often expressed the wish that it might, while he was still able to enjoy his favorite recreation.
     Mr. Toomey was born in Dunkirk in October, 1859, the son of Daniel and Katherine Toomey. Except for two years when he was in South Dakota, he spent all his life in this city.      His first business venture was with his brother, the late Daniel F. Toomey, with whom he conducted a flour and feed business at Main and Wright streets.
     Later, he conducted a livery business at East Fourth and Leopard streets, first with A. W. DeLand and then with Matthew Hollander as his associate. The livery business gave way to the taxi business at 74 East Fourth street which Mr. Toomey conducted up to the present time.
     He had a life-long interest In trotting horses, having owned and trained a number of them. He had been a race official at the Chautauqua County Fair for many years.
     Mr. Toomey was a member of St. Mary's church and of Holy Name society of that church.      In 1902 he married Tyrella Sackett of Sheridan who survives him. Four children, Mrs. Lawrence Graser of Buffalo, Edward, Leonora and Tyrella Toomey, all of Dunkirk, and one grandchild, Patricia Graser, also survive.
     Funeral services will be held at the residence Friday morning at 8:15 and at 9 in St. Mary's church. Burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery.

—Dunkirk Evening Observer, Dunkirk, New York, 12 Jul 1932, p 12