OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 74, 28 March 1919, Page 4

OBITUARY

SIR EUSTACE FANNIN. | The late Mr Eustace Coates Fannin/ ' • whose death occurred the other day; ’ was born in Ireland in 1835, and came to New Zealand with his father and. family when a young man. His father, engaged in sheep-farming in the Hawkes Bay district, and Mr E. C. Fannin ried on this line of business after his ! father’s death for some years. He removed to Nelson with his step-mother,! and otters of his family, about 35. years' „ ago. For some years he resided ih Brook street, and then at Port Nelson': Eventually he built a residence on the Port Hilfs, overlooking tte wharves, . and remained there until his death. His' sister, Mrs Nalder, a widow lady,, has resided with him for some time.past. Mr Fannin never married, and has ■. lived a retired life. He was well known; in Nelson as a man of sterling charac- ' ter, and an earnest Christian, holding firmly to orthodox and evangelical pfin-' ciples. In a quiet and unobtrusive man-' ner he was always seeking to do good,' especially by disseminating Bibles, .or.' portions of the Bible, and other religious literature. He occasionally accom-’ panied some like-minded friend in visit-; ing country places on an evangelistic tom*. On the occasion of the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to Nelson he’.made two visits to the ship, taking a large supply of Scripture portions, etc., and distributing them among the officers and’ crew, as well as conversing with as? . many as he could reach. Mr Fanning was always ready to help Christian and" - missionary effort, but all he did was quietly and unostentatiously, done. Efe' was fond of music, and also of paint: ing, in which he showed considerably ability. He possessed a large library*, i and was. fond of reading. For about two years Mir Fannin's,health and strength have been gradually faffing, and for four months or. morb . . he had been confined to his'bed; Con-- - scidug to the last, and kept in perfect; peace, he was a witness' to ■ the’.u’ealitj and sustaining power of the Christian faith. •. :