Local residents will regret the death of 'Jack' Coates, who played for a season with the Steelworks Football Club, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. After leaving Wollongong he went to reside at Lithgow.
The 'Lithgow Mercury' stated:— The deceased had not been in good health for some time and had been under specialist's treatment for head and ear trouble for some months. He appeared, however, to have shaken off the infection, until Monday night, when he was again seriously affected. He was temporarily removed to Lithgow Hospital and arrangements made on Tuesday night for conveyance by ambulance to Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, where an operation was performed immediately, on arrival.
Though this was successful, the specialists held out little hope of recovery, but the patient rallied slightly on Wednesday afternoon and flickering hope was revived. On Sunday morning, however, it was obvious that he was sinking and death took place, at 3.15 p.m.
In describing the funeral, the 'Lithgow Mercury' states: Testifying to the esteem in which he was held, the funeral of the late Mr. J. S. [John Stanley] (Jack) Coates on Saturday afternoon, was one of the most largely attended for very many years. The cortege was nearly a mile in length, at the head of which marched 150 members of the S.A.F. Western Suburbs Football Club, S.A.F. Life Savers; S.A.F. Swimming Club, S.A.F. Baseballers and M.U.I.O.O.F.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Ron Thompson, Cyril Quinn (S.A.F. toolroom workmates), S. Heffernan and C. Piggott (Western Suburbs F.C.), Ron Young and T. Cunningham. A large number of personal friends also assisted in carrying the beautiful floral tributes and artificial wreaths, which were exceptionally numerous.
St. Paul's Church of England was filled for a short service.
The last rites at the graveside were performed by the Revs. L. Daniels and K. Aubrey, whilst the funeral service of the Manchester Unity members of which were present in regalia, was read by Bro. N. M. Timbrell, N.G.
'Coates, John Stanley (Jack) (1909–1939)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/coates-john-stanley-jack-23227/text32425, accessed 11 July 2026.
1909
Lithgow,
New South Wales,
Australia
16 April,
1939
(aged ~ 30)
Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.