Obituaries Australia

With the passing of Mr. Thomas Richard Spargo at his home, "Glenmore", Baker’s Swamp, on Friday afternoon, October 26, another link with the early days of this district has been severed, and the loss of this interesting and highly esteemed personality is being mourned by a very wide circle of friends and relatives.

The late Mr. Spargo was 80 years of age. He had enjoyed good health right up to the time of his death, although he had suffered a heart attack about twelve months ago and his activities were somewhat restricted on this account. His death was sudden and unexpected and he was just about to have his afternoon tea when he fell dead. The shock was a severe one for his wife and daughter-in-law (Mrs. Norman Spargo) also a visitor from Sydney (Mrs. M. Smythe), who were with him when he passed away.

Deceased was born at Yetholme, Bathurst, and was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Spargo, whose family comprised three sons and one daughter – Thomas Richard, Louis David and Rosina Spargo (Mrs Syphers). Thomas Richard Spargo is the last of the family, his brothers and sister predeceasing him.

He was three years old when he came to Baker’s Swamp with his parents. They came from Bathurst in a bullock wagon and took up land, which was named "Glenmore" and Thomas Richard Spargo continued to reside on the original property where his parents settled and died. It was here that he died also after a lifetime of toil and service for the benefit of those who followed on.

Pioneers like the Spargos knew no other mode of transport than bullock wagon or dray and such transport brought them to town and took them to all the pleasures of their day. Mr. Spargo grew up in this atmosphere and he often related events of the past and the happy times they shared. But he was a progressive man for all that and moved with the times. He accepted the machine age and the other modern ideas that improved his property. He was a lover of horses and in the old days owned a fine team, of which he was justly proud.

He was a great sport and his interests centred round cricket in particular, and he was one of the Neurea team for many years, being one of their best men. He followed all the Test cricket with the greatest interest and listened-in to the broadcasts. He was a golfer, too, and played with the Wellington Golf Club.

The district in which he carried on farming and grazing pursuits received his support at all times and for years he was a trustee of the Neurea Recreation Ground. His son, Norman, was his successor as Trustee. He devoted much time to his home and family.

The late Mr. Spargo is survived by his widow, who was Miss Florence Mary Harris, daughter of another pioneer family of the Suntop district, the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Harris. Also seven sons and one daughter – Stan (Parkes), Ray (Nowra), Norman (Baker’s Swamp), Les (Suntop) and Ralph (Wellington), and one daughter Gladys (Mrs W. Roberts, North Sydney), who all attended the funeral of a loving husband and father. A daughter, Mollie, died when a little girl. There are 18 grandchildren.

In addition to their own family, Mr. and Mrs. Spargo reared two sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Spargo, of Lewis Ponds. Bede was six years old and Alan four when they were bereft of their parents and they remained with their uncle and aunt until their education was completed. Bede resides at Richmond and Alan at Suntop.

The funeral was very largely attended, a tribute to the esteem in which deceased was held. The cortege left "Glenmore", Baker’s Swamp, on Sunday afternoon and a service was held at St. Patrick’s Church, Wellington, at 4 p.m. after which it proceeded to the Curra Creek Cemetery, where the remains were interred. Rev. Father Kelly officiated at the church and graveside.

Messrs Murray Bros had charge of the funeral arrangements.