Mary Joyce Forbes (Deal)

People Buried Here

Description

Corowa Free Press 19th Dec. 1961.

Wahgunyah residents, and indeed residents of a wide area on both sides of the river, received a great shock on Thursday last when they heard that Mr. Alex Forbes had passed away suddenly at his home early that afternoon. He had been in Corowa on business in the morning and after lunch changed a tyre on his car but went inside and told his wife he was feeling unwell. The doctor was summoned but he collapsed before he could be taken to hospital. He was aged 47 years.

By his death Wahgunyah has lost one who was in the forefront in all matters connected with that small community, and also one who was also ready to do helpful acts to individuals and committees alike and he was a really first-class citizen.

He had been a member of the Rutherglen Shire Council for nine years and at the time of his death he was president of the Council. He was also a past Master of the Wahgunyah Masonic Lodge, vice-president of the Freemason's Housing Scheme and representative of the Wahgunyah Lodge on the Hospital Fund. He was created a Justice of the Peace five years ago.

The late Mr. Forbes followed the occupation of a shearing contractor, and was widely known amongst rural circles in this regard. As a young man he played football with the Burraja team. He served with the 2/22 AIF in World War II.

Deceased was the sixth son of the late Donald and Ann Forbes, of Lowesdale, and was born at Wahgunyah. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Joyce Deal, and two daughters, Judith and Margaret; also two brothers Dave and Alister (Lowesdale) and two sisters, Mrs. Davis (Sydney) and Mrs. Trewarne (Wonthaggi).

The funeral on Friday afternoon left no doubt as to the esteem in which he was held in the community and the sympathy which is felt for the bereaved relatives.

The cortege which followed the remains to the Corowa Old Cemetery after the service at the Presbyterian Church was the longest ever seen in Corowa, being estimated to be nearly two miles long. Among the mourners were Councillors of the Rutherglen and Corowa Shire Councils and representatives of public bodies and people from all walks of life.The service at the church and graveside were conducted by the Rev. L. Martin, of North Albury, and a Panegyric was delivered by Mr. Con Brindley, secretary of the Wahgunyah Masonic Lodge. Mr. Murray Gyles read the Masonic Burial Service. Casket bearers were Messrs. C. Brindley, J. Elliott, W. Bishop, G. Forbes, J. Dick and G. Trainor. The pall was supported by Messrs. G. Northey, R.S. Jackson and G. Mc Millan (Wahgunyah Lodge), and Councillors J. Riley, C. Diffey and W. Talbot (Rutherglen Shire).

Messrs. Wm. Squires and Sons were in charge of the mortuary arrangements.