Three days after the burial of his wife, Mr. Frederick Corby, of Rushden, for many years a leading church and public worker in his native town, died suddenly on Tuesday evening.

The circumstances were exceptionally sad, because, although Mr. Corby had been far from well during the last twelve months, he kept as active as possible. He was present at his wife’s funeral service last Saturday, (Mrs. Corby died on Wednesday April 3), and on Tuesday afternoon he visited the offices of Fred Corby Ltd., the leather firm of which he was managing director.

At seven o’clock in the evening he collapsed at his home, “The Beeches,” Higham-road. His condition then left little room for hope, and death occurred at nine o’clock. Mr. Corby was 76—the same age as his wife, to whom he had been married 49 years.

Born at Rushden in the days when the village was turning to industry, Mr. Corby was the only son of Mr. Andrew Corby, who was the manager of Messrs. Denton’s old currying works in High-street and afterwards lost his life in accident at the factory.

The son was apprenticed at the same factory, and about 26 years ago set up his own business at a little factory in Duck-street near the corner of Wellingborough-road. It was a successful venture, and he never looked back in business prosperity. After a few years he built a factory in John-street, where several extensions have been carried out. The firm became Fred Corby Ltd., and Mr. Corby was managing director until his death, though he had not been very active in the business during the last ten years. He was greatly esteemed as an employer.

Honoured Secretary

In other spheres Mr. Corby’s greatest love was in service to the Park-road Baptist Church. The Corby family has been connected with the cause for more than a century. Mr. Andrew Corby was a local preacher, temperance worker, Sunday School teacher and deacon. He died in 1888, and ten years later his son became a deacon of the church.

Mr. Fred Corby first attended the Succoth Sunday School but transferred to Park-road, where he was a Sunday School superintendent from 1908 to 1924, having previously led the young men’s Bible class. His most notable work was, of course, as church secretary from 1908 until his death. Mr. G. E. Bayes joining him as co-secretary 11 years ago. Last year he was appointed a life deacon of the church.

For many years a member of the Northamptonshire Baptist Association committee, Mr. Corby was president of the Association in 1916, showing a special interest in the village churches. He was also on the Baptist Area Committee and a member of the Baptist Union, whose annual meeting he attended regularly.

Until a few years ago Mr. Corby gave service, especially in the villages as a lay preacher. He was treasurer of the Rushden, Thrapston and District Sunday School Union from 1901 to 1905 and president in 1913. The Baptist Missionary Society found in him a liberal and earnest supporter.

Mr. Corby attended the service at Park-road last Sunday morning, and it is recalled that his last public duty was to preside at the farewell meeting to the Rev. T. W. Gill last July.

Council Service

Education found a great friend in him, and when he retired a year or two ago he looked back upon nearly half a century of committee work, having served on the old Rushden Board, which ceased to function about thirty years ago.

When the present system of school control replaced the School Board Mr. Corby became a school manager and was chairman on several occasions, serving in this position as recently as 1936. He was also a governor of the Rushden Intermediate School.

As a liberal Mr. Corby was an Urban Council member for six years, beginning in 1922, being vice-chairman during his last year of service. For some time he was chairman of the Rushden Liberal Association. He was active also in the Federation of Light Leather Dressers and Curriers, and was the chairman of the Rushden and District Motor Ambulance Association.

In 1931 Mr. Corby made a trip to Palestine and Egypt, afterwards lecturing on his experiences.

The six children are Mr. John Corby, Rushden, Mrs. C. Potton, Rushden, Mrs. A. W. Smith, Leominster, Mrs. R. Tompkins, Ilford, Mrs. Tebbey, Rushden, and Mr. Harold Corby, Rushden.

The Rev. T. W. Gill will conduct the funeral service in the Park-road Baptist Church at two o’clock this afternoon.