Obituaries Australia

Fred McEvoy, n.d.

photo supplied by Louise Nordestgaard

The death occurred at Port Lincoln last Thursday of Mr. Frederick Joseph McEvoy, 81, Cungena’s oldest living pioneer farmer.

Over the past six months, the late gentleman’s health had been failing, and a fortnight or so prior to his death he was admitted to the Port Lincoln Hospital. Ten days afterwards he was discharged and went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. Smart, of Porter Street, Port Lincoln. He died peacefully in his sleep six days later.

Mr. McEvoy was born at Wirrabara on December 2 1880. He was the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McEvoy and at the age of 17 came with his parents when they trekked overland with their stock and plant from Hammond to the West Coast.

The family sharefarmed at Warrow and in 1907 son Fred married Miss Mona Puckridge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Puckridge of Ulina Station.

Three years after their marriage at Warrow Mr. and Mrs. McEvoy transferred to Sceales Bay, where they sharefarmed for the late Jim Roberts.

In 1916 they took up virgin land at Cungena and established the farm which was to be their home for the rest of their lives. Mrs. McEvoy predeceased her husband eight years ago. They had a family of 10 children most of whom were reared on the farm at Cungena.

Mr. McEvoy was the chief instigator in getting the Cungena school and was chairman of its committee for many years.

Keenly interested in and an active member of all the local organisations, especially those beneficial to the development of the country, Mr. McEvoy took a prominent part in the local progress association.

A keen sportsman, he was a foundation member of the Cungena Racing Club, of which he was later honoured with life membership.

During the laying of the Tod water scheme through the area, Mr. McEvoy was appointed as the special constable for the Cungena area.

From July, 1927, to June, 1929, he represented Chandada Ward in the District Council of Streaky Bay.

As a registered veterinary practitioner, the late gentleman rendered invaluable service throughout this country for many years. He retained a very keen interest in this profession until the last days of his life.

The funeral took place at Streaky Bay last Saturday morning following a Requiem Mass in St. Canute’s Church at 10.30. Over 50 cars comprised the cortege between the church and the Streaky Bay Cemetery, where Monsignor Coffey, assisted by Rev. Father Dunne and altar boy Anthony Cusack, presided.

Pallbearers were the late gentleman’s sons Laurence, Fred and Martin, and his sons-in-law Messrs. C. J. Holland, H. A. Patterson and N. Smart.

Other children are Dorothy (Mrs. Patterson), Molly (Mrs. Smart), Nora (Mrs. Holland), Joan (Mrs J. Patterson), Carmel (Mrs. W. Gill) and Norman. Another daughter Ella (Mrs. Little) died last year.