OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR. FRANCIS THOMPSON (Own Correspondent) RANGIWAHIA, Feb. 22. The sudden death of Mr, Francis Thompson came as a great shock to residents of this district. Born at Halcombe 56 years ago, the late Mr. Thompson came to this district at the ago of 10 years, and finished his schooling at the Ruahine School. The country was in bush and the roads were mud. Deceased took up residence with his late father up the Kelpie Road. At the age of 21 he look up a farm on the main high-

way, and since then he has seen the farm cleared of bush and the roads metalled, and he worked hard to make the farm what it is to-day.

Mr. Thompson always took a keen interest in the welfare and building of this district. He was a very active member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, as well as a successful competitor in the axemen’s events. Several years ago he was elected to the Rangiwahia-Ruahine Dairy Co s. board of directors. He was also a keen footballer in his younger days, and in later years he took up refereeing and managing of teams.

For 28 years deceased was a mem ber of the Masonic Order and it wa:

while attending a Masonic gathering that he collapsed and died later in lhe Taihape Hospital.

Mr. Thompson’s kindly and honest disposition won him wide friendship. Left to mourn his passing are his

wife, two daughters, Rea and Myra, and six sons, Douglas, Mervyn, Stanley, Leslie, Hillery, and Vernon. There are also five brothers, Percy and Iram, who are in Australia, Roland, of Taumarunui, and Herbert and James, of Rangiwahia.

The funeral service was conducted by ■ the Rev. Webster, while the Masonic service was taken by Mr. C. D. Fraser, of Palmerston North.