OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 95, 22 April 1944, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR. F. C. STEPHENSON

The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Frederick Charles Stephenson, a wellknown Wellington resident and who was known throughout New Zealand in commercial circles as well as.in sport. He travelled extensively in the interests of the softgoods trade, having been for over 50 years a member of the staff of Bing, Harris, and Co., Ltd. Born and educated in Dunedin, he commenced his business career there, but as a young man he transferred to Invercargill and later went to Christchurch before taking up residence in Wellington. A keen cricketer, he had the distinction of representing Otago before he was 20 years of age, and subsequently representing Southland, Canterbury, and Wellington. A player of outstanding merit, as indicated by his record, Fred. Stephenson was one of the famous string of bowlers which made the Midland Cricket Club's first eleven so powerful many years ago when it was able to call Upham, Holdsworth, Fitzsimmons, and Stephenson into an attack which commended the greatest respect of opposing sides. Fred. Stephenson also / played for Midland in Christchurch, and not a little of his early cricket was with the Warehousemen in Dunedin. Keen too, for Rugby football, he was associated as a lad with the old Montecillo Club in Dunedin, and afterwards with Kaikorai, his active interest in the game being carried through to the old Selwyn Club in Wellington. His enthusiasm for sport extended to other, fields, and he was very keen on fishing. As a member of the Commercial Travellers' Association, he was also keenly interested in the affairs of that body. Mr. Stephenson is survived by his wife, a son, Mr. F, H. (Harry) Stephenson. and an adopted daughter (Miss M. Pilkington (who has been serving in the Middle East as a nurse). His other son, Lieutenant J. B. Stephenson, R.N.V.R., lost his life while on service with the Navy in the present war. Both sons performed with distinction as athletes .from the time they were at Wellington College, Jack (J. B.) gaining his University blue in cricket and athletics and Harry in athletics.