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- The Highland Recorder, Monterey, VA, Friday, 31 Jul 1931, p. 2, col. D
PROMINENT, RESPECTED COMMUNITY'S CITIZEN ENTERS "LAND BEYOND"
John A. Rea, one of the best known and most beloved citizens of this community, passed away Thursday evening about 7:30 o'clock at the Livermore sanitarium, where he had been for the past three weeks following an illness that forced him to take leave from his position as assistant cashier at the Gilroy branch of the Bank of America.
For a time he made steady progress toward recovery, but on last Sunday evening he took a sudden relapse and from that time to the moment that his life flickered out, his wife and other near relatives were constantly at his bedside while his countless friends at home waited and hoped for good news, but in vain, for in spite of the diligent and never failing efforts of his physicians and nurses, the summons came and John Rea passed into eternal sleep.
John "Toesch" Rea, was as nearly a part of this community as any individual could be. Born in Gilroy on September 11, 1865 [sic], he was educated in the local schools, graduating from high school in 1914. He had planned to continue through college but was persuaded to accept a position in the Bank of Gilroy, and his acceptance of that offer was the beginning of a successful banking career which was eliminated only in death.
Rea was a valued officer at the local institution, and was advanced to the position of confidence and trust which he occupied when sickness interferred, about two years ago by the then Bank of Italy, which previously had absorbed the old Bank of Gilroy. His service at the bank was only interrupted by the call to arms in 1917 when Rea enlisted in the army and was stationed at Macon and Jacksonville, Florida, as first sergeant in the quartermaster corps until after the armistice in 1918.
Seven years ago Rea was married to Miss Josephine Bradshaw, which proved a happy union, the couple celebrating their anniversary in January of this year. The ceremony was performed in San Jose by Achdeacon Noel Porter, who will also deliver the funeral oration tomorrow.
Surviving the deceased are his widow, Mrs. Josephine Rea; his mother, Mrs. Catherine Rea; and these brothers and sisters, all of Gilroy: Mrs. John Radin, Miss Virginia Rea, Fred J. Rea and Rocky Rea.
The funeral will be held Saturday morning, July 4, at 10:30 o'clock and will be under the joint auspices of the Gilroy lodge of Elks, and the American Legion, organizations with which Rea was most actively affiliated. He was a charter member in both of these fraternities and since the institution of the Elks lodge here has been its treasurer. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for years was the representative of the Swiss Benovelant Society — Gilroy Evening Dispatch.
Mrs. Rea, who was Miss Josephine Bradshaw, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Bradshaw, of McDowell has a host of friends in Highland and other parts of Virginia, who deeply sympathize with her in this sad bereavement.
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1895 - 1931 (35 years)
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