Obituaries Australia

Sydney Loses a Distinguished Citizen

A commanding personality in the financial and commercial life of Sydney passed from us with the death of Mr. George Crowley, Chairman of Directors of the City Mutual Life Assurance Society and Chairman of Directors of the 'Catholic Freeman's Journal,' which took place suddenly early last Sunday morning. The deceased gentleman had not been in good health for some time past, although sedulously attending to his business. A trip to Papua was recently decided upon, in the hope that the rest and the voyage would have a beneficial effect; but Mr. Crowley re turned to Sydney no better than when he left it. He continued to come into the City Mutual Life office daily, and on the Friday before death he was present at a Directors' meeting of the 'Catholic Freeman's Journal.' On Saturday morning he was at his office as usual and then appeared to be fairly well, and the subsequent collapse from heart failure was most unexpected.

Mr. Crowley's life work was in the City Mutual Life Assurance Society. The son of Mr. Jeremiah Crowley, the first Catholic denominational school teacher, whose memory is still cherished in North Sydney, he passed from his father's school to Fort-street, and, his school days over, joined the staff of the insurance office in which he was destined to achieve a distinguished career. His talent and keenness soon attracted attention, and it was not long before he occupied a responsible position, finally becoming manager of the society, whilst at the same time holding the position of Chairman of Directors. For forty-three years he shaped the policy of his company with wisdom and foresight, and it was mainly through his genius that it became the great and flourishing institution it is to-day. Mr. Crowley had profound faith in his native land and patriotic confidence in its ultimate prosperity, and this was reflected in his business dealings. Early in life he visioned Sydney as an impressive capital city and laid his company's plans accordingly. Time confirmed his judgment until the groat depression set in. Even in recent days Mr. Crowley expressed the view that given the right handling of our national affairs Australia still had a golden future not far ahead of her.

As a recognised authority on life insurance, and an export in high finance, Mr. Crowley's name was familiar beyond his own city. His advice and opinions wore sought by people in high places, and representatives or governments were among those who consulted him. He wrote much on financial matters from time to time and laterly his schemes for meeting the financial crisis wore much discussed. The Scullin Ministry was so impressed by Mr. Crowley's financial reputation and his well-reasoned financial views that in 1930 he was invited to accept a seat on tho Commonwealth Bank Board. Mr. Crowley, however, declined the honor; he felt that in the anxious days ahead duty and inclination must hold him to his own society. He was, however, in touch with the monetary problems of our governments.

There were many sides to Mr. Crowley's life, and had he not entered the business world he might have won a reputation in the field of letters. Even in the midst of his financial activities he took a keen interest in the 'Catholic Freeman's Journal,' joining the directorate about fifteen years ago, and occupying the Chairmanship of the Board for the greater portion of that period; and he again and again found time for literary efforts outside his newspaper correspondence, and some fine articles from his pen appeared in the old paper and other Sydney publications. A visit abroad in 1908 inspired him to publish a book — 'The Old World Through New World Spectacles" — which attracted much attention at the time, as Mr. Crowley was a candid critic and gave his impressions with remarkable vigor and frankness. He possessed a bright and chatty style and set down very lucidly the thoughts and observations of a broad-minded and cultured man. Well acquainted with the classics and widely read, Mr. Crowley's papers always attracted attention from the cognoscenti. He was a profound admirer of the works of Charles Dickens and could quote him copiously. Indeed the Dickens' influence was felt in his own kindly essays and his championship of causes which had few friends. He contributed to the 'Freeman' a few years ago some reflections on Dickens' charm, and it is regrettable that he did not find time to fulfil his promise to write more on the same subject. Occasionally Mr. Crowley invaded the poetic field. His verses were graceful and well-modelled and contained charming, thoughts.

Although Mr. Crowley achieved great distinction in the business world, and made an impression in many fields of activity, his intimates will hold his memory dearest when they recall his great capacity for friendship. Under the shrewd business exterior those, who knew him best found a big-hearted and lovable man, whose generosity and charity were as great as they were unobstrusive. It can truly be said of him that he loved to do good, by stealth, and in his quiet and helpful way he did hundreds of gracious acts which gave comfort to his fellow man. The city knew little of this side of Mr. Crowley's life — of his never varying solicitude for those who had experienced misfortune — but there are many men and women who are living to-day who recall the adage that 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' when they think of the subject of this notice. Not only were his benefactions distinguished by warmheartedness and delicacy, but it* really might be said that he sometimes searched the highways and byways for old acquaintances wounded on life's battlefield and that he took a wonderful joy in ministering to their hurts. Only those very close to him know how many strugglers knew his bounty and how many lame dogs were helped over the stile by his sympathetic hands. It is said that one priest, at least, nover despaired of help for 'hard' cases when Mr. Crowley was in Sydney. If charity was something of a passion with tho deceased gentleman, it was also a passion with him to assist good causes without anybody knowing anything about it.

It was characteristic of a gentleman of such fine sentiment to cherish a fondness for old times, old places, old identities and his reminiscences — printed and oral — he loved to recall boyhood days on North Shore and would tell stories of the priests and people who lived and labored when his "honored father," as he reverently called him, taught the rising generation in the Catholic school. He exhibited the Celtic respect for his parents and would proudly refer to the scholarly attainments of his sire and the domestic virtues of his mother, both Catholics of the grand old school. A sportsman him self, he had interesting recollections of the athletes who flourished when he himself was a young man. In later years he took to the gun and the fishing rod and was also a familiar figure 0n the golf links. An oarsman himself of considerable skill. In early life, he manifested an interest in rowing to the end. It was, perhaps, his work in his garden which Mr. Crowley most missed when the doctors ordered him to refrain from strenuous exercise.

Mr. Crowley was 69 years or ago at the time of his death, and he is survived by his sons, Dr. Vivian Crowley, formerly of Western Australia, and now attached to t.ho Lidcombe Hospital; and Mr. Kevin Crowley, rental officer of the City Mutual Life Assurance Society; and two daughters, Mrs. Fred Pfeiffer, of Double Bay, and Miss Kitty Crowley. Mrs. Crowley died in 1913, and a brother also predeceased him.

The funeral, which, following Mr. Crowley's wish, was of a private character, took place on Monday morning from his late residence, 'Shalimar,' Drummoyne. The Right Rev. Monsignor J. Meany, parish priest of Drummoyne, read the prayers at the house, and officiated at the grave, assisted by Rev. Fathers T. Gartlan, S.J., and J. Piqjuet, S.M. old friends of the deceased. The mourners, besides the members of Mr. Crowley's family, included the directors and representatives of the companies with which Mr. Crowley was intimately connected, viz. — the City Mutual Life Assurance Society and the 'Catholic Freeman's Journal.'