Biography

The Armitage family came from Huddlesford, Yorkshire, England in the early 1860s. In Yorkshire the family had been in the furniture trade as skilled cabinet makers.

After his education he was apprenticed to Mr Storrer, undertaker of Launceston, whose rooms and workshop were at the corner of St. John and York Streets. Another apprentice was Charles T. Finney. After several years Storrer gave his undertaking business to Armitage and Finney, and continued as a cabinet maker for some time. Armitage handled all the Roman Catholic funerals and Finney looked after funerals for those of other religions.
After his education he was apprenticed to Mr Storrer, undertaker of Launceston, whose rooms and workshop were at the corner of St. John and York Streets. Another apprentice was Charles T. Finney. After several years Storrer gave his undertaking business to Armitage and Finney, and continued as a cabinet maker for some time. Armitage handled all the Roman Catholic funerals and Finney looked after funerals for those of other religions.

David married Georgina Calver. She was born in Northern Ireland and she and two of her brothers came to Tasmania and settled in Launceston. One was Clarence Calver- a noted dentist in town for many years. David and Georgina had four children.

On 1^st December 1921 David died quite suddenly while on duty at a funeral at Frankford. After this his son, David, who had been an apprentice, set up his own business at 116 St. John Street. Charles Finney also opened his own establishment in Brisbane Street.

The members of the Anglican community were moved by David's sincerity and care and erected a plaque to the memory of his passing. The plaque is in St. John's Church in the south aisle. The inscription reads:
ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF
DAVID ARMITAGE
WHO DIED SUDDENLY 1ST DECEMBER 1921
HIS SYMPATHY AND KINDNESS
TO MANY IN THEIR TIME OF BEREAVEMENT
WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

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