Obituaries Australia

John McLeay, 1946

Adelaide City Council Archives, HP0762

Sir John McLeay, who held a record 10½-year term as Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, died yesterday, aged 88.

He died in the Ashford Community Hospital in Adelaide after a short illness.

Sir John, known widely in Adelaide as "Jack" McLeay, was admitted to hospital on Thursday after suffering a stroke.

The national and South Australian president of the Liberal Party, Dr A. J. Forbes, said yesterday, "I, like everyone of all ages who knew him, feel they have lost a dear friend. Despite the many high offices he held, he never lost the common touch.

"He was loyal, down-t0-earth, and wise. The Liberal Party, the State and Australia have lost a good and faithful servant."

Sir John was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1962 for political and other services.

In 1966, he gave notice of his intention to retire from politics, and preselection for his Boothby seat was won by his son, Mr John McLeay, who is now the Consul-General in Los Angeles.

Born on November 19, 1893, Sir John was the son of the Mr John McLeay, a well-known farmer at Port Clincont, Yorke Peninsula, where Sir John was born.

Sir John was a former chairman of McLeay Brothers Ltd, and a director of a number of other companies. He also was a former member of the Municipal Tramways Trust Board, the State Bank Board and the Council of the University of Adelaide.

He is survived by two sons, Peter and John, and a daughter, Barbara.

His wife, Lady Eileen McLeay, died in 1971.

A funeral service will be held at St Augustine's Church in the suburb of Unley at 10am on Friday.