GERALDINE DEATH OF FORMER VICAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 3

GERALDINE DEATH OF FORMER VICAR

The Rev. J. F. Coursey Fine Career Ended The death occurred yesterday of the Rev. James Francis Coursey, an honorary canon of Christchurch Cathedral, and for a time until recently vicar of Geraldine. Mr Coursey, who suffered bad health for some time, had to his record many years of fine and devoted service to his church. Mr Coursey was educated at the Royal University, Ireland. He left the university in 1907 and was ordained as a deacon in 1913 by the Bishop of Down for the Diocese of Nelson, New Zealand. He came out to New Zealand in 1914, by arrangement with the Bishop of Nelson, Bishop Sadlier. Mr Coursey went to the position of curate in the Westport parish In 1914 and was ordained priest in that year. For a year he stayed in Westport and was then appointed vicar of Karamea. Because of the shortage of chaplains during the war he left for overseas service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in 1916 and remained with the soldiers until 1918. On his

return to New Zealand he was appointed vicar of Westport and remained there until 1924. During that time Mr Coursey made a name for himself as a speaker and was appointed an honorary canon of Nelson Cathedral. His speaking engagements included a special visit to Christchurch, to speak at the Cathedral, and his speech created such an impression that he was offered the incumbency of the parish of St. John the Baptist, Latimer Square. Mr Coursey remained at St. John’s until 1931. During that period he again made his abilities manifest as a forceful speaker and member of Synod, and undertook for the Bishop and the Standing Committee the important task of visiting every parish in the diocese and explaining the working of a new and revised financial system. He did that task with great success, the official records indicate.

In 1931 Mr Coursey was appointed honorary canon of Christchurch Cathedral. Owing to a breakdown in health he was for a long time in the public hospital. On his recovery he was advised to seek a change of climate and was appointed to the parish of Geraldine. He remained there until 1937, resigning last year because of his inability to continue to attend the chapter meetings. During last year an exchange of cures was arranged between Mr Coursey and Canon A. H. Norris, vicar of Cashmere Hills. He took up the work in Cashmere with vigour and during the last Synod was among those leaders of what has become to be called the Forward Movement—a demand arising among the younger clergy for greater vigour in carrying out the work of the church.

While in Geraldine Mr Coursey took a keen interest in the affairs of the district, serving for a period as chairman of the Geraldine District High School Committee and as chairman of the Geraldine Dental Clinic Committee from the time of its inception until he left Geraldine last year. He also acted as chairman of the Geraldine Coronation Celebrations Committee, and his work in that capacity was a tribute to his powers as an organiser. When the Geraldine library was reorganised and placed under the control of a library management committee, Mr Coursey was appointed chairman.

Mr Coursey possessed a gift of oratory and his Anzac Day addresses at Geraldine attracted the Interest of people of all denominations. Mr Coursey also acted as an umpire for cricket matches. He was an active member of the Geraldine District Golf Club. Mr Coursey leaves a widow and family of three sons and one daughter. A brief memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s, Geraldine, this evening at 7 o’clock. The service will consist of readings of Holy Scripture, Psalm, prayers and hymns. The congregation are asked to bring their prayer books with hymns. (A and M.) Mr E. Cholerton, optical specialist, proprietor of Procter’s, the Premier Opticians, Christchurch, will be visiting Geraldine, personally, on Wednesday, April 5, when he may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr Morris Williams, chemist, ’phone 61