LOSS TO SPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 91, 18 April 1944, Page 6

LOSS TO SPORT

MR. WILLIAM DERVAN

A BOXING PERSONALITY

The death occurred this morning of Mr. William Edward Dervan, widely-known in Auckland sporting circles. He was 59 years of age.

For over 20 years he was official announcer Tor the Auckland Boxing Association. He was at the boxing contest at the Town Hall last evening, but as he was feeling indisposed, he was a spectator only. Although associated with many sports, Mr. Dervan will be chiefly remembered as an outstanding personality in boxing in Auckland. He joined the association in 1914, and proved his value in many executive positions. He frequently managed Auckland boxing teams on visits to other centres and on several occasions represented the association as delegate to the conference of the New Zealand Boxing Association. He had the chance of being president of the Auckland Association, but always refused nomination. He gave valuable service to school and college boxing, assisting, together with other members of the association, in the control of events. _ The association paid him the compliment of making him a life member. Mr. Dervan was educated at the Marist Brothers' School in Pitt Street. In his early days he took a big interest in swimming, and played lacrosse when that Canadian game was featured in Auckland many years ago, also Rugby and

League football. He was a member of the City Rugby Club, and then went to League. In the 1912 season he wept to Australia as a member of the New Zealand Rugby League team of that year. As a footballer, he will be recalled as a player of the sporting type and a good forward who was always up with the play. For some years Mr. Dervan had lived in retirement. Previous to that, he had extensive interests in the licensing trade, and his business capacity as an organiser was widely recognised. In all sport, Mr. Dervan upheld the best traditions, and will be remembered as a man of extremely charitable nature and a favourite with all

In his private life Mr. Dervan derived much pleasure from service he gave at the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, where he went regularly, not only to read to the inmates, but also to keep them fully acquainted with topics of the day. In recent years he had given his services freely to the work associated with the Catholic Services' Club, and was a valued member of the committee.

Mr. Dervan is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son.