MR. GEORGE HENRY ASTRIDGE

Chronicle (Levin), 2 August 1948, Page 4

MR. GEORGE HENRY ASTRIDGE

*r " i \ v With the deqth on Baturd^y Qf Mr. G- H. A5tridget of Gebtge Qtreet, heyin anci district loses one of its aldest and mpst respected residents. Mr. Astridge cqme to New Zealand with his mother gnd father in 3,874, p,rriving at Wellington in the "Corifiict" on August 2, 74 years ago today, ' Eor many years he conducted a carrying business in Wellington bef ore comihg to ' Levin same 59 'years ago. Here, he took up a block pf land ahd, after f-eli-ing the bush, followed farming pursuits. He was pre'deceased by his wife 14 years agp. Mr. Astridge took no interest in sports or local affairs, devoting his whole life to the Manchester IJnity of the Independent Order of Oddfeliaws. He is believed to be the ol'dest member df the Britannia Lodge in Wellington and is the. founder of 'the Loyal Victoria Diamond Lodge in Levin, which celebrated its 50th anniversary some two years ago. For 71 years he took an active interest in lodge affairs and hel'd most ot the offices in the Victoria' Lodge, being secretary for 25 years. It was impossible not to recognise his dutstanding work for the Oddfellows,. and some years ago he was made an honorary life member of the Levin-Foxton Past Grand Lo'dge, For many years he represented the Victoria Lodge as its delegate at the annual conferences in Wellington. Mr. Astridge had nine children, three- s'ons an'd six daughters. His three sons are now dead, one being killed^ during the first World War, while two daughters have predeceased him. He is survived by four daughters-, Mrs. C. Brewertoh (Upper Hutt), Mrs. E. Brown (Pal-, merston North), Mrs. L. S. Webb (Levin) and Mrs. R. Teal (Levin),' and a sister, Mrs. A. W. Gaudin (Levin), and one brother, Mr. A. C.j Astridge (Upper Hutt). He leaves! 23 grandchildren, several greatgrandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Thus, he was the eldest living member of five generations. Mr. Astridge .will always be remembered for . his generosity, kindness . and goodwiU, especialiy to those who were aged or sick.