The Tumut and Adelong Times 18 May 1948
OBITUARY MR. F. S. DOWNING As briefly referred to in our Friday's issue, the death occurred at the Tumut District Hosbital on Wednesday, May 12, of Mr. Frederick Simon Downing, of Gadara, Gilmore. The late Mr. Downing, who celebrated his 75th birthday on March 5 of this year, was the youngest of the family of fifteen of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Downing, The Gap, Wondalga, one of the earliest pioneering families of the district. Educated at the Christian Brothers' School, Albury, Fred. Downing returned to his home district and spent all his life on the land. When the Gadara Estate was being subdivided by the Broughton family Mr. Downing secured portion of it and made his home there. His wife, who was formerly Miss Mary Quilty (a member of yet another of the families who blazed the trail for the progress of the Tumut district) and their only child Robert, who has devoted his life to his parents, survive him. Of his brothers and sisters two only remain — Mr. Charles Downing, of Tumut, and Mrs. Ellen Thom, of Waverley. Three died in infancy, and those who predeceased their youngest brother were Messrs. Robert, Thomas, John, Michael and Matthew Downing, Mrs. Sheahan (Jugiong), Mrs. McDonald (Albury), Mrs. Nash (Adelong) and Mrs. Thom (Temora). All district affairs had Mr. Downing's support, and in the sporting world, racing and football claimed his particular attention. In his day he was a member of the local football team and thus later rejoiced in the triumph of the Tumut 'Blues' in Maher Cup matches when his son Bob captained the side, and even with passing years his interest never waned. Mr. Downing had been for just on fifty years a member of the Tumut Hibernians, having joined a few months after the Society was formed in Tumut. A practical member of his church, Mr. Downing gave his support to all functions for the church or the convent. His health has been failing for the past twelve months and towards the end of the summer he and Mrs. Downing spent two months in Sydney. The change, however, did not have the desired effect and after being confined to his bed for ten days he was brought into the hospital on Monday and passed away on Wednesday, as stated. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Sharkey on Thursday morning at 7.30, followed im mediately by a second Mass, Rev. Fr. Blakeney being the celebrant, and at 3.30 p.m. one of the longest funeral corteges seen in Tumut for some years moved from the Church of the Immaculate Conception to the new cemetery. Rev. Fr. Commins officiated at the church and the graveside and Mr. Reg. Baker (for Estate H. W. Baker) had charge of the mortuary arrangements. The pall-bearers were six nephews, Messrs. Jack Crowe, Jerry Sheahan, Pat. Downing, Matt. Downing jnr., Bern ard Quilty and Maurice Quilty. Amongst the many beautiful floral tributes were noticed those tent by Bob and Mum; Fred., Mat. and Mary; Maggie and Jim Emery and family; Vera, Allan and family; Ede, Matt, and Mattie; Pat., Isla and family; A. J. Baker and staff; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sturt; Bevan, Kay, Ross, Darcy and Jean Crampton; Mr. and Mrs, McCarthy and family; Percy and Mrs. Andrews: Tumut Football Club; Arthur and Ivy Pether and M. Russell; Mr. and Mrs. H. Hayes; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Tozer and Ruth; Patricia Kelly; Manager and Staff Yee-Hing and Co., the Carr fam ily; the Lynch family; Mrs. G. Edwards; Pat., Lila Kelly and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. McInnes, Ina and Col.; Mr. and Mrs. T. Malone and family; Jack and Miriam Cruise; Frank and Lucy Bourke; All at Woomera; Jack, Mrs. Hickey and Joyce; Owen and Kate Dunn; Mr. and Mrs. D. Phillips; Mr. and Mrs. M. Bar bour and Ian; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wil son and family; Mrs. Masters snr. and family; Lacmalac Football Club; Mr. and Mrs. J. Whatman, Mona, Cecil and Ada; Mrs. H. W. Baker and family; Tim Malone; Jack and Mick Healey; Martin, Cis Cruise and family; Gordon and Bar bara McDonnell; Neil Cochran and the Masters family; Maurice Quilty and family; Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Johnson and family. |