The Tumut and Adelong Times 10 Jul 1945
OBITUARY Mr. Thomas Sturgess The many friends of the Sturgess family, and especially the Gilmore residents, were shocked to hear the news of the sudden death of Mr. Thomas Sturgess, of Barrenjoey, Upper Gilmore, which occurrcd on Friday morning last. The late Mr. Sturgess had been suffering from blood pressure and heart trouble for a number of years and since a fall from a tree about three years ago he had been in failing health. On Friday he rose in his usual jovial spirits and after breakfast he saddled his horse to muster sheep. Some time later his wife saw the horse, riderless, galloping towards the homestead. Fearing an accident had occurred, she caught the horse and rode it in the direction Mr. Sturgess had gone. After going some distance his dog came towards her and led her to where deceased was lying on the side of a steep hill, about a mile from the homestead. Finding no sign of life, she immediately informed her son Fred, who was working in a nearby paddock, and he got in touch with the doctor and the police. Apparently deceased had suffered a sudden heart attack whilst riding up the hill. The late Mr. Sturgess, who was 72 years of age, was born at Gilmore, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs George Sturgess. In early life he followed the occupation of a laborer and, being a highly skilled timberman, his services were eagerly sought by district farmers. With the coming of the railway to Tumut he entered the employ of the Railway Department as a fetler, which position he retained for a number of years. After his mariage he purchased a small block of ground on the site of the old Gilmore Hotel, where he went in for vegetable growing. With the assistance of his wife and family he made such a success of the venture that 12 years ago he was able to purchcase the 'Barrenjoey' property at Upper Gilmore, about 17 miles from Tumut. A hard worker, he was an able and resourceful man and was held in the highest esteem throughout the Gilmore Valley, where he was so well known as a fine, open-hearted neighbor. He lived an exemplary life and his passing is mourned by a wide circle of friends. At the age of 39 he married Miss Harriett Dickinson at Wagga, and to the union were born two daughters and three sons, all of whom survive, viz.: Thelma (Mrs. M. Walsh, Temora), Hazel (Mrs F. Anderson, of Tumut), Frederick (Gilmore) , Edward and Keith (both in the A.I.F.). There is one brother, Mr. Charles Sturgess, of Wagga, and one sister, Mrs. Caunghan, of Brisbane, surviving. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon last, leaving from the District Hospital for the C. of E. portion of the Tumut New Cemetery. Rev. S. Broadfoot officiated at the graveside and pall-bearers were Messrs. Ted Sturgess (son), F. Anderson and M. Walsh (sons-in-law), E. and A. Johnson and Stan Dickinson. |