OBITUARY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21150, 19 July 1943, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN W. FERGIE

SEIZURE IN STREET

The* death of Mr John William Fergie, who w;is staiionmaster at Gisborne for the past (U years, occurred suddenly on Saturday afternoon. Mr Fergie was in town during the morning on business, and was on his way back to the station shortly after noon when he found it necessary to rest because of a sudden illness. He eventually reached the station, but was taken to hospital, as

bis condition became worse, and lie died within a few hours Of his fir: t seizure.'

News of his death came as a shock to his friends, of whom there wore many in Gisborne. During his; (D, year's here, he took a great interest in all matters dealing with the advancement of the town, being a very keen member of the Thirty Thousand Club, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce and the Repertory Society, while lie was also a member of the petrol committee. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Poverty Bay Golf dub. Born at Tinwald. near Ashburton. Mr Fergie was educated in Ashburton and joined the Railways Department at Christchurch 98 years ago. Following that lie was at tho Lambton station and later at Palmerston North, where he married Miss Lola Rumble. Shortly afterwards Mr Fergie joined the publicity department of the railways, and afterwards was nine years relieving officer' before coming to Gisborne as stationmaster-in-charge.

While in Gisborne he gave all assistance in his poWer to the eiforis of the Thirty Thousand Club in securing improvements at the railway station, particularly when the station was raised in importance by the opening of the link to the south, nearly n year ago. The interment will take place at Aslihurst, near Palmerston North, and the casket is to be taken by to-night’s train to the south. A service was held at the house this afternoon prior to the removal of the casket to the train. Mr Fergie is survived by his wife, to whom tin sympathy of her many friends will be extended. There were no children.