Newspaper Article 1976 – Tirau Identity Dies

OBITUARY

Tirau identity dies

The man who caused the name “Rush-Munro to spread throughout New Zealand in association with unique-tasting sweet delicacies and ice-creams, Mr Fredrick Charles Rush-Munro, died earlier this month at the age of 92 years.

Mr Rush-Munro became well-known in Hawke’s Bay, initially, when he and his wife established a sweet-shop in Hastings. The shop was especially popular because it had the policy to sell only home-made produce, and many favourite foodstuffs were made from recipes secret to the couple.

An additional attraction was the Oriental-style garden setting where patrons could linger at tables set among Japanese – imported shrubs, chatter with the birds in the aviary or watch the fish in the fountain pool.

Mr Rush-Munro and his wife settled in Tirau in 1954 when they retired.

Although the man behind the little parlour has passed away, he ensured that the shop would remain essentially the same by incorporating a clause to that effect in the deed of sale signed in 1949. The “secret recipes’ were also passed to the new owners.

KEEN BOWLER

During his retirement in Tirau, Mr Rush-Munro was a keen bowler playing both indoor and outdoor bowls until recent years.

He was a well known face at the Tirau Public Library where, sometime ago, he worked for 10 years as a voluntary helper.

In recent years advancing age kept him closer to home where he was a keen gardener and kept one of the best gardens flowering in Okoroire Road.

Throughout his life Mr Rush-Munro was a keen reader and enjoyed learning, keeping his mind alert.

He is survived by his wife Catherine and three children and his many grandchildren.

Photo caption – MR RUSH-MONRO [RUSH-MUNRO]