OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1943, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR SEYMOUR WILLOUGHBY.

The death occurred at Masterton this morning of a well-known resident in the person of Mr Seymour Edgar Willoughby, of Kopuaranga. He was a son of Mr and Mrs W. R. S. Willoughby of Bruce Street, Masterton. Born in Masterton forty years ago, he had resided in the district all his life. He had been in indifferent health for the past twelve months. The late Mr Seymour Willoughby in his younger days was a prominent footballer and was one of the best forwards New Zealand has produced. A skilful and plucky player he made a brilliant name for himself early in his football career, which he started many years ago in the Red Star Club, playing in the lowei’ grades and later in the senior team over a long period, captaining the fifteen for several years. He played for many seasons for the Wairarapa seniors and was a member of the Ranfurly Shield team in the days when Wairarapa possessed the champion football fifteen of the Dominion. He represented the North Island against the South Island, and many competent New Zealand football judges held the opinion that an injustice was suffered by him when he did not receive All Black honours. Mr Willoughby took a keen interest in the welfare of the lower grade players in the Red Star Club and was always prepared to assist them in their training and with advice. He also took a prominent part in the social activities of the club. A brother, Mr “Mick” Willoughby, who also played for the Red Star Club, was a New Zealand and North Island representative player. The death of Mr Seymour Willoughby will be deeply regretted not only by his personal friends but by prominent footballers throughout the North Island to whom he was well known and with whom he was very popular. A widow and three young children, besides his parents, are left to mourn their loss, to whom the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended in their bereavement. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving the chapel of Hyde's Funeral Service, Ltd., following a service at 2.30 p.m., for the Masterton Cemetery.