This memorial window for Henry Corkil Kerruish can be found in St. Paul's Church in Ramsey. The dedication pays tribute to H. C. Kerruish's long assoication with the church and the town of Ramsey.
The window depicts the risen Christ appearing to three of his disciples.The window was made by Jones & Wilkins of Liverpool & London.
The window carries the following dedication:
'To the Glory of God and in memory of H.C. Kerruish a life ling member of the congregation of S.Pauls, who gave many years of public service to the Town. Died May 18th 1935. Aged 68 years.'
To illustrate the extent of H.C. Kerruish's public service below are two obituaries from insular newspapers printed in the week following his death in 1935.
Mona’s Herald, Tuesday, May 21, 1935 Page 5
“DEATH OF Mr. H.C. KERRUISH
(Ramsey)
The death of Mr. H. C. Kerruish, T.C., of Ramsey, late on Saturday night, has ended a life of singular usefulness to the community in which he spent his life. He had not been well for some time, and a week ago he was laid up with heart trouble. Hopes were entertained for his recovery, but he took a turn for the worse on Saturday, and died about 11.30 that night. He was 68 year of age. Mr Kerruish was the youngest son of the late Mr. John Robert Kerruish, of “Clifton,”Maughold, who represented Garff in the House of Key for many years, and brother of the late Mr Jno. R. Kerruish, whose long service in both branches of the Insular Legislature will be remembered by most. He was educated at Ramsey Grammar School, King William’s College, and Liverpool College. For many years he carried on the grocery and wine and spirit business which he established with his brother in 1889; down to 1925, when he retired. He had a long and consistent record of public service in Ramsey. He was a member and a past Chairman of the Ramsey Town Commissioners and of the Ramsey Board of Guardians, and was an active member of most of the unofficial and charitable committees of the town. A devoted member of St. Paul’s Church, he was a member of the Diocesan Conference; he was one of the oldest members of the St. Maughold Lodge of Freemasons, and held past Provincial Grand rank. He was also a Past Prov. Grand Master of the Isle of Man District of Oddfellows. In his younger days he was a keen Rugby footballer, and he travelled considerably. Mr. Kerruish was a fine type of Manxman, kindly, unassuming, and with a greeting for everyone. He was not an orator, but he possessed a fund of commonsense, which earned him the respect and esteem in all branches of public life. He is survived by his widow, who is the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Chas. Kewin, of “Lewaigue,” Maughold; and on daughter, Mrs. A.Cecil Teare, of “Summerland,” Ramsey, - The funeral took place to-day, being very largely attended.”
and
Ramsey Courier, Friday, May 24, 1935, Page 5
“DEATH OF
MR. H. C. KERRUISH, T.C.
------------------------------
Long Record
Of Public Service.
-----------------------------
"We regret to record the death of Mr. H. C. Kerruish, T.C., which occurred at Summerland, Ramsey, on Saturday night in his 68th year. Mr. Kerruish’s health had been failing noticeably for some time, but he carried on up to the last with the indomitable courage that was characteristic of him. He was taken seriously ill on Tuesday of last week with heart trouble and bronchitis, and while hopes were entertained that he would recover his condition became worse on Saturday afternoon, and he passed away peacefully at 11.30 o’clock that might.
By reason of his lengthy association with public life in the Isle of Man, Mr. Kerruish was one of the best known men in the Island and he had a wide circle of friends in all parts who will deeply mourn his passing. Practically all his life he had been closely identified with town affairs – he served on the Town Board at different period s for something like 18 years altogether ahd on the Board of Guardians for 30 years – and, possessed of an excellent memory, he could recall outstanding events in the life of Ramsey over a very considerable period. He, himself, had been associated with prominent figures of former days in movements which had for their object the advancement of Ramsey and few men had worked more zealously or over a longer period in the interests of his native town.
Mr. Henry Corkill Kerruish was the youngest and last surviving son of the late John Robert Kerruish of “Clifton,” Maughold, who was for many years Member of the House of Keys for Garff Sheading. He received his early education at Ramsey Grammar School and afterwards was at King William’s College and Liverpool College. He retained his interest in the Island’s public school up to the last and was a Vice-President of the Barrovian Society and a regular attender at the annual dinner of the Society. Though of stalwart physique he did not enjoy robust health as a youth and in consequence spent some time in Canada, in the days when that country was just beginning to be developed. On this visit he was a passenger on the first ocean-to-ocean C.P.R. train which entered Winnipeg. Later, with his mother, he made several tours abroad, and visited among other countries, France, Germany, Portugal and Egypt. After a visit to the States he returned to the Island in 1889 and entered business in Ramsey with his brother the late Mr. J. R. Kerruish, as a grocer, and wine and spirit merchant, and on the latter’s retirement, took over the establishment which he conducted up to 1824 when he retired.
His earliest association with public life was in connection with the political elections in Garff Sheading in the days of open voting, and he could recount many interesting stories of the doughty election contests of those stirring days. His brother, the late J. R. Kerruish, M.L.C., J. P., C. P., who represented the Sheading for 25 years, and at one time served as Speaker of the House of keys was a foremost figure in politics in Garff, and by his participation in these political campaigns Mr. H. C. Kerruish gained a wide experience in electioneering which served him in good stead in later years and in other spheres. He was twice Chairman to the Ramsey Town Commissioners. He was first elected to the Board in 1898 and sat for six years, being elected Chairman in 1902. He was again Chairman in 1922 and was a member of the Board at the time of his death. He had sat on the Ramsey Board of Guardians continuously from 1905and was chairman for three years. He was always regarded as a capable Commissioner and though he made no claims to being a public speaker he was a doughty and vigorous champion of any cause he espoused. He was for many years a member of the Ramsey Advertising Board, and was latterly Ramsey’s representative on the isle of Man Publicity Board and he was an active member of the committee responsible for the arrangements for the recent Jubilee celebrations in Ramsey. He also served on the Lifeboat Committee and on the old Regatta Committee and h was an enthusiastic worker for many years for the Ramsey and District Horticultural Society. He was treasurer of the Ramsey Development Association during the time that that body flourished and did such useful work in the town. He took a prominent part in efforts of a charitable nature, and was for many years a member of the committee of the Ramsey Hot-Pot Fund. He was also local secretary of the Snaefell Mining Disaster Fund at the time when distress was rampant following that calamity. In the Church he was a devoted member of St. Paul’s and a representative on the Diocesan Conference. Mr keruish was a prominent Freemason and was one of the oldest members of the St. Maughold Lodge and held past Provincial Rank. He was also a staunch Odd Fellow all his life and had represented the Isle of Man at several Annual Moveable Conferences. He was at one time auditor of the Loyal Good Anchorage Lodge, and was a trustee at the time of his death. He had been through the chairs of the Ellan Vannin Lodge of Past Grand Masters.
As a youth, Mr Kerruish was a keen Rugby player, He played in the first match between Liverpool and Manchester Colleges, and he was one of the founders of the first Rugby team to be formed in Ramsey, and its first captain. He played for the Old Douglas team in the days when its playing members included “Charlie” Duesbury, who afterwards became Bishop of Sodor and Man; Arthur Paul, the Penketh brothers, etc. He was one of the original members of the Ramsey Golf Club. Mr Kerruish was a man of genial disposition and popular among all sections of the community, in which his place will be very difficult to fill.
He married the eldest daughter of the late Mr Charles Kewin, of Lewaigue, and is survived by his widow and by his only child, Mrs Cecil Teare.
The Flag at the Town Hall was flown at half-mast as a toke of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Kerruish."
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