Obituary

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 37, 5 January 1949, Page 5

Obituary

MR JOSEPH CREEKE At the Whakatane district hospital on Tuesday, December 28, Mr Joseph Creeke, a well known figure in Whakatane public affairs, died He was 70 years of age. Born at Matata in 1878, the-late ;Mr Creeke led a very active life and at one stage travelled to many parts of the world. He was educated at St. Joseph’s fCollege, Auckland. When he turned 18 he went to sea in the old sailing •shijps as an ordinary seaman and worked his way up until he acquired his mate’s ticket. In 1900 he left the sea to join the New South Wales Fire Brigades where he rose to be a senior officer. He married in Australia and in 1926 came to Wellington to take up a position as Chief of the Wellington 'Fire Brigade. He held this post until he retired in 1938 when he came to Whakatane to live. The late Mr Creeke was very fond •..of- sport, especially wrestling, boxing, rowing, tennis and athletics. In Australia he was considered one of the foremost wrestlers in the • country. He was also a well known -referee. When he returned to New Zealand he retained his interest in wrestling and was instrumental in getting the sport started in this country. Although he came to Whakatane 'to retire, Mr Creeke took a great interest in local affairs, Especially .anything pertaining to the affairs of the Maori race: He was a member ■of the Borough Council for sjx -years, one time chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and ■ the Beautifying Society, a member of the Domain Board, and Government representative on the Fire Board. He was well known throughout New Zealand for his active sporting life and his great knowledge of dire-fighting. His death will be regarded as a great loss to the district and also to the country as a whole. The funeral was attended by visitors from all over the Bay of Plenty .and inland to Rotorua. He is survived by his wife and ■son.