Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Thursday 5 August 1937, page 3


Obituary. It is with deep regret that we re-cord the death of one of Portland's highly respected citizens in the person of Mr. Alfred Thomas, at the age of 68 years. The deceased gen-tleman had suffered from an infirm-ity for the past two years, this being caused by the abrasion of the heel whilst wearing new boots on the work of excavating a dam at the Portland Freezing Works. The malady, although not serious for some years, became more so as time passed and caused tremendous suf-fering and pain, which was always borne with a smile and a cheery word to all who enquired after his health. In fact, his disposition was such that, whenever anyone chose to pay a visit to his home, one was always assured of an old-fashioned, hearty welcome. Mr. Thomas was a native of Hamilton, but had lived almost all his life at Portland, and, until a few years ago, he carried on business as a quarryman. He was married to Miss McPherson at Port-land and there are six daughters and four sons of the union, all but one son surviving their father. T'he members of the family are:- May (Mrs. Simmins, St. Kilda.) Effie (Mrs. McDonald, Hurst Bridge), Percy (Portland), Jessie (Mrs. But-ler, Hamilton), Lottie (Mrs. Carra-can, Brighton), Gordon (Malvern). Ethel (Mrs. Stuchbery, Gorne), Percy, Norman, Chrissie and George (Portland.) To the family and rela-tives we extend our deep sympathy in their bereavement. The casket was removed to the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday morning, and the funeral cortege left for the South cemetery after a short service at 2.30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. J Priestley, the organist being Miss V. McEachern. The coffin-bearers were sons and sons-in-law of the deceased, Messrs. Percy, Gordon Norman, and George Thomas, Mr. Stuchbery and Mr. Butler. The large assembly at the graveside and the numerous floral tokens bore tes-timony to the high esteem in which the late Mr. Thomas was held. The mortuary arrangements were in the hands of Mr. B. L. Wilkins. Residents of this district learned with regret of the death of Mr. D. E. McLellan at his home in Neave street, Upper Hawthorn, on Wednesday last. IHe was a son of the late Mr. David McLellan, of Drik Drik, ani spent his early years in the district. Sonime time ago he made a valuation of the Portland Shire. For some years lie resided at Port Fairy, where he had a seat in the Borough Council, and was elected to the positio: of .Mayor on several occasions. At Camberwell he carried on business as at land and estate agent. Formerly he was a member of the IHawthorn City Council, and was also president of the Camberwell bowling club. lHe is survived by a family of two sons (Claude and Athol) and four daughters (Gladys, Lily, Kathleen and Gwen.)