Obituaries Australia

On Thursday evening of last week there passed away another esteemed resident of Jamberoo, in the person of Mr. Peter Ryan, 85 years of age, after a short illness.

Deceased was held in high esteem by all who knew him and was much respected, and his memory will linger for the many kind acts he did and his friendliness to all. He was born at Dapto, being amongst the first white born children in the South Coast district. His mother was also amongst the earliest white born settlers in Parramatta district and his father, who was a native of Ireland, arrived in New South Wales in his early life, settling in the Camden district and thereafter at Dapto for many years, where he was buried at the age of 102 years.

Deceased followed dairying at Dapto for many years and was married twice. He first married Miss Mary Condon, and he had 11 in family, 6 of whom pre-deceased him, and 1 son and 4 daughters survive him, viz:-Peter Ryan (Brownsville), Mrs. Jane Rogan (Corrimal), Mrs. Mary Ann Braham (Wollongong), Misses Margaret and Sarah Ryan (Corrimal).

Many years after the decease of his first wife he married Miss Martha Clancy, who survives him, but he had no children by his second marriage. He removed from Dapto to Jamberoo some 20 odd years ago, where he afterwards lived in retirement after his years of toil, and was one of the early pioneers in the dairying industry.

During his illness he received ministrations from Rev. Father Malone, the kind attention of whom was greatly appreciated by deceased.

The funeral (the arrangements for which were carried out by Mr. Ettingshausen) took place on the following Saturday, and was well attended by friends and relatives of deceased, the remains being buried in the Catholic portion of the old West Dapto cemetery, beside the graves of his late first wife and members of his family who pre-deceased him.

Rev. Father O'Sullivan officiated at the graveside, where many others had gathered from Wollongong and the surrounding districts, to join with the rest in paying their last tribute of respect to deceased.

The cemetery is situated in a quiet, peaceful spot, away from all the turmoil and bustle of life, where lie the remains of many of the old pioneers, whose tombstones record the great ages they lived, which is an object lesson to many of the present generation, who do not know the views their grandparents held, but who were wise in their generation than they mostly got credit for. One thing is certain, we never knew their thoughts, but have found out long since that their works live after them.

We cannot change yesterday - that, is clear,
Or begin to-morrow until it is here.
So all that is left for you and for me,
Is to make to-day as sweet as can be.

- A.J.H.