THE CERTAIN FALLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 144, 20 June 1931, Page 8

THE CERTAIN FALLS

■ DEATH OF MR FRANK CROTTY i POFL’LAR nGLh’K IN SPORT AND A M AT EUR TH EAT R LUA LS. After a short illness there passed away early yesterday morning one of the most popular figures in Wanganui in the person of Mr F. P. (Frank) Crotty, whose demise at the early age 01. 33 will bo regretted by a wide circle of friends, not only in Wanganui but also in many other parts of the Dominion. He was the possessor of a happy disposition and a genial personality which endeared him to the many with whom he came in contact. Born in Wellington, he was the fourth son of Air and Airs J. Crotty, of Somme Parade, and his early education was at the Wanganui Alarist Brothers’ School, where he soon won popularity. Leaving school, he was for some time on the New Zealand-Sydney run, having a liking .for the sea, but he returned to Wan-

ganui. Be enlisted in 1911 and joined the 19th Reinforcements of the N.Z.E.F., leaving for active serviei at the age

of 17. First as a bugler and later as a company runner in Franco, he won the esteem of his comrades at arms, and after being gassed and rounded he was invalided to England. He returned to New Zealand in .1919 when still under military age. Joining the staff of Messrs Power and AlcTubbs, Air Crotty had been associated with that firm for the past twelve years. He took an active interest in Rugby football, being for many years a member of the Alarist

..v-nior fifteen, and was with the team which won the championship in 1928. On several occasions he was selected to wear the Wanganui representative jersey. As coach of the Alarist fourth grade team for the past two years he was very popular with the players. In rowing circles he was well known in various parts of the Dominion as well as in Wanganui, being a member of the Union Boat Club, for which ho rowed at many regattas. He was also a valued member of the Castlecliff Surf Section of the Royal Life-Saving Society, in which he took an active interest. Ho was an auxiliary member of the Wanganui Fire Brigade and for some time belonged to the Wanganui Harrier Club and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. It wiw perhaps by his work in amateur theatricals that Frank Crotty was b««t known, for he was one of the most pOßular comedians ever to play a part under tho Wanganui Amateur ALusicaJ and Dramatic Society. Wherever u part wiw suitable for his particular abilities, he filled the role in a manner that would have reflected credit on many a professional. A foundation member of the Wanganui Savage Club in 1929, he was this year elected to the Grand Council, and he was responsible for some of tho most popular items put on by members. Frank’s activities were many and his interests legion, and that his friends were numberless one could gather from the numerous messages of sympathy which were received yesterday and last night by his bereaved parents and by his brothers and sister. The children also will miss

IT; k. for he was a genera] favourite wiih the younger citizens of Wanganui. Requiem Mass will bo celebrated at St. Alary’s Church at 9 o’clock on Monday morning, the funeral then leaving for the Catholic Ceinoterv.