OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 660, 13 January 1933, Page 4

OBITUARY.

Albert John Stanley.

The death occurred last week-end at the Amuri Hospital of Albert John Stanley, son of Mr E. J. Stanley, Templeton. Mr Stanley had been a patient in the Christchurch Hospital for a number of years, where he was extremely popular. The following tribute was written by a fellow patient:— “ The. best known and most popular patient of recent years in the Christchurch Hospital was undoubtedly Bert Stanley, known to all as * Stan.’ To my knowledge he has been in and out of hospital for various periods extending over the past ten years and in continuously for the past five. All who knew him will regret his death, whichtook place at the Rotherham Hospital last week-end. Individual of every staff on the hospital knew him and should his bed be out in the corridor by Ward 6 or on the asphalt outside, each one who came within hailing distance would have some word of greeting for him. No one would spend more than a month in any of the hospital wards as a patient without hearing of * Stan,’ even if it was only to have him held up as an example. He had a great sense of humour and did not allow his chronic state to worry him. “He was never idle when feeling at all we l l and was an excellent art and handicraft worker. He kept himself in pocket money by selling the various things he designed. He was particularly good at fashioning figures in wax and then colouring them by means of his paint brush. About a year ago, owing to a shortage of beds, he was transferred to Rotherham. The change evidently agreed with him, for news name through that he was able to get up, dress and walk about. This was received with great jubilation by everyone, but he was unfortunate enough to slip in some water one morning and an injury to his hip necessitated his return to town, and it was only after several weeks in bed in Ward 7 that he was able to go back to Rotherham. Then, after several conflicting reports had been received, word came through that he was doing exceedingly well again, so much so that he had taken it upon himself to cultivate a portion of the garden. Progress continued until it was thought that he might be able to go home for a while, but he collapsed last week and did not recover. Thus passed a 4 Greatheart,’ and all who met or heard of him will regret that it had to be.”