Obituaries Australia

Veteran Communist stalwart John Joseph ("Tiger") died in Innisfail hospital recently.

He joined the Party in the 1920's and became well known in North Queensland for his leadership around the struggles of AWU workers in the sugar industry.

With Jack Henry and others, "Tiger" Ryan played a prominent part in the early sugar strikes and later the Weils disease struggle of the 1930s.

Until a few weeks before his death he was secretary of the South Johnstone section of the AWU. He resigned from that position because of ill health.

At his funeral service orations were given by Mr. Eddie Heilbronn (representing the Communist Party), Mr. Charlie Martin (secretary of the South Johnstone section of the AWU) and Mr. Harold Hack (RSL).

Despite torrential rain, over 100 people paid their last respects at the service. Pall-bearers were the South Johnstone mill manager, AWU section secretary, RSL local secretary and members of the Communist Party and Labor Party.

"Tiger" leaves a widow and two sons, to whom Tribune extends sincere condolences.