OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 188, 11 August 1931, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR JOHN L. McLEAY Born in Bosshire, Scotland 59 years ago, and coming to New Zealand in 1898, Mr John L. McLeay, Turakina V alley, passed away on Thursday last. On his arival here the late Air McLeay went farming with his late uncle (a namesake of his own) and at the uncle’s death some years later the deceased took over the farm on his own account. In 1904 Mr McLeay’s fiancee (Miss Annie Mcßae) came out from Scotland, and shortly after her arrival, the young couple were married. Mrs McLeay predeceased her husband in .1916, leaving a family of five children. Some years later Mr McLeay married Enid, a daughter of Mr S. Read, Wellington, whom he leaves a widow with three children. The deceased gentleman was a most successful and popular farmer, and a more congenial personality would be hard to find. His cheerful smile and hearty welcome wiJl bo very much missed by many in country and town alike. He was a staunch supporter of th<* Caledonian Society. A pleasing feature of the deceased was his love to hold a conversation in Gaelic, and many of his old friends will miss him in this connection. On two different occasions he visited his old home in Scotland. The funeral, which was largely attended by representatives of the country and surrounding towns, took place at Matarawa Cemetery on Saturday. A funeral service was conducted at the home of the deceased’s eldest daughter (Mr and Airs G. T. a . v bj» Clunie, Turakina Valley, and also at the graveside by the Rev. Watt, Turakina Presbyterian Church. The impressiveness of the service was considerably added to by the playing of the pipes by members of the Wanganui Pipe Band. Air AlcLeay leaves a widow and eight children to mourn their loss —Airs G. F. Bayly, lan, Isobellc, Bain, Rae. Alargaret, Colin and Andrew, to whom the sympathy of many old friends of the deceased will be extended.