11/17/02

Frank Gallot and Bridget Commons

Frank was born around 1871 and went on to become a painter/paper-hanger.  In 1896 he married, catholic, Bridget Commons.   Bridget was born in New Zealand to Irish parents.  Frank and Bridget had many children; Rose, Florence, Harold, Doris, Owen, Eileen, George and Ethel.  During this time the lived in Pratt St, Auckland and Anglesea St, Freeman’s Bay, but in later years moved to Rose Rd, Ponsonby.  When much of the family lived in Freemans Bay, they frequented local establishments, the “Rob Roy” (which became the “birdcage”) and “Freemans” (which later became “Kitty O’Brians “ Irish Pub).

For some years their son George and his wife Maude lived with them.  Many of their married children also lived in Rose Rd.

Bridget died suddenly in 1943 and was buried in Waikumete Cemetary (B/2/66), by C Little Undertakers.  Her headstone simply reads, “31 May 1943; age 73; Wife of Frank, RIP”.

Frank succumbed to cancer in March 1948 and was buried in the same plot on the 6^th March, as were the ashes of their daughter Eileen on the 5^th November 1958