Tim (Timothy Joseph) Tracy (1874-1953) of Kilbane Co. Clare, Lightweight & Welterweight Boxing Champion of New Zealand
Tim Tracy was a native of County Clare Ireland, he was born on 20th April 1874, the son of Michael Treacey and Bridget Cleary. He was a two-year-old tot when his parents brought him out to New Zealand. Early in his life Tim followed the family tradition and was apprenticed to the bootmaking trade and thus began an association with leather, which he later turned to his advantage with leather gloves for the boxing ring.
In the first hundred years of the New Zealand Boxing Association there have been two figures that stood out above all others. The two Gentlemen are Tim Tracy and Richard (Dick) John Dunn. The extraordinary influence that the two bestowed on New Zealand boxing was further linked in that Dick Dunn trained under none other than the immortal Tim Tracy. Boxers he fought included World Champion Billy Murphy (in Stratford), brother Burt Murphy (in Christchurch), Teddy Morgan, Freddy [Dasman] and [Dinnie Murphy] (in Blenheim) with whom he fought 14 rounds whilst suffering a broken arm. He has been formally acknowledged by the Wellington Boxing Association in an illuminated address that hung in the sitting room of his home.
In his own account, he explained that he decided to learn how to box after being threatened on the streets of Wellington by two men. His father referred him to Charles (Charlie) Richardson, a trainer that owed him money which unfortunately for Tim meant training backfired and he was put through the toughest fights of his life. He fitted out his own little gymnasium, at the rear of his bootmakers shop in upper Willis Street, Wellington. In years to come the Tracy gym, which in reality was only a converted room, became a regular meeting place for all of Wellingtons boxing fraternity.
Tim Tracy, had not fought any kind of contest until past his thirtieth birthday. It appears that Tim Tracy had his first contest with an American named “Kid” Parker in 1904 at the old Exchange building on Lambton Quay. In his third contest he defeated ageing Billy “Torpedo” Murphy, who became the only native born world champion when he beat Ike Weir for the world featherweight title in San Francisco during 1890. The Tracy v Murphy contest was staged in Stratford and Tim stopped Murphy in the fourth round.
In 1907 he won a tournament at Christchurch among lightweights to become the first official professional titleholder of the NZBA. Tracy was the outstanding name in New Zealand rings in the days before the First World War.
In 1911, he was presented with a gold time piece “The popularity of that genial, clean-living, manly fellow, Tim Tracy, was manifested at Auckland on Tuesday evening last when, at a meeting of sports, a gold timepiece, suitably inscribed, was handed over to him.". And in 1912, there was a ceremony to honour him and he was presented with a gold medal, as a recognition of his services to boxing, The accounts states that “Without a doubt Tim Tracy is the most popular boxer in New Zealand. He has been on hand for the past eighteen months, and his record during that period is thirty-six fights. Of the thirty six he has lost eight and drawn two, his wins, therefore, numbering twenty-six. Never in his career had Tim won a medal, so the Hastings sports did well in giving him a little token. Boxing in the Dominion owes a lot to Tim, who has always been a steady, well-behaved, citizen of this country. “
Tim Tracy went on to have some 36 contests until 1915 most of which were for the New Zealand Professional lightweight championship.
Tim Tracy continued to train for many years. In 1923 he was the trainer of the Victoria University Boxing Team, Joint Winner Inter-Varsity Boxing Shield.
He became the second President of the New Zealand Boxing Instructors and Trainers Federation, which was formed in 1948. At the age of 78, he was still active being the president of the Wellington and Hutt Valley Boxing Trainers Association.
In 1952, he made a recording of his life’s experiences. He died on the 1st of July 1953, age 79 years.
Boxer and boot importer and manufacturer. His boot shop was located in upper Willis Street, Wellington. He was the father of May Thompson.
Contains a label `T Tracy, boot and shoe maker and importer,193 Upper Willis Street, Wellington and a sketch of Tim Tracy drawn by `Mack' to be added to the collection of Stars of sport (original drawing and cutting of it published in an unidentified newspaper). The back of the original sketch is annotated with a note by his daughter, May.
T Tracy was the father of May Thompson. He was a boot importer and manufacturer. His shoe store was located at Upper Willis Street, Wellington
Tim Tracy at the age of 78 recounts tales of his career as a boxer. He was the first lightweight champion of New Zealand. The interviewer gives Mr Tracy considerable prompting as he seems to find it difficult to formulate sentences.
Tim Tracy explains that he decided to learn how to box after being threatened on the streets of Wellington by two men. His father referred him to Charles (Charlie) Richardson, a trainer that owed him money which unfortunately for Tim meant training backfired and he was put through the toughest fights of his life.
Boxers he fought included World Champion Billy Murphy (in Stratford), brother Burt Murphy (in Christchurch), Teddy Morgan, Freddy [Dasman] and [Dinnie Murphy] (in Blenheim) with whom he fought 14 rounds whilst suffering a broken arm. He has been formally acknowledged by the Wellington Boxing Association in an illuminated address that hangs in his sitting room at home. Currently Tim Tracy is President of the Wellington and Hutt Valley Boxing Trainers Association.
Ellen Alicia (b. 1846 Kilbane Clare d. 29 June 1907 Brunswick Victoria Australia) m. Samuel Timothy Lett 28 February 1877 West Melbourne Victoria Australia.
Timothy J Treacy (Born March 2, 1878 in Kilbane, County Clare, Ireland Died February 2, 1934 in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA)
Timothy Treasy/Treacy, full age, bachelor, shoemaker, of Kilbane [Killokennedy], (s. of Timothy Treasy, deceased, shoemaker) married Anne Ryan, full age, spinster, of Kileagy [Killokennedy], (d. of Michael Ryan, labourer) Wit: Michael Treacy & Anne Gunning in the RC Chapel of Kilbane 29 January 1873 [Kilbane Bridgetown]
Michael Treacey, full age, bachelor, shoemaker, of Killaloe (s. of Timothy Treacy, shoemaker) married Bridget Cleary, spinster, labourer, of Newtown [Kiltenanlea?], (d. of James Cleary, labourer) Wit: John Hogan & Annie Carrick in the RC Chapel Killaloe 24 July 1873 [Annacarriga Scarriff]
Boot Trade. Wanted, respectable Youth, as improver. Apply sharp to M. Tracey, Bootmaker, Willis-street.
...pleaded Guilty to a charge of having stolen a pair of shoes, value 8s 6d. from the shop of Michael Tracey, bootmaker, Willis-street...
A Chat With Tim Tracy...Tracy said that people twitted him for wearing a moustache, a practice most unusual among professional boxer=. "But I have to." he said "my wife will not let me shave it off."
Quin - On the 30 September 1911, at the hospital, Wellington, sarah, relict of the late James Quin, and mother of Mrs. T. Tracy, of Wellington, aged 72 years; deeply regretted. Private internment.
"Tim Tracy, boxer, bootmaker, and a jolly good fellow, filled quite a new role whilst m Auckland prior to his fight with Hannan. And the nature of it has been the standing joke of Tim's many friends who never expected his services would be so eagerly sought after in the direction indicated. In fact some sages have gone so far as to prophesy that Tim Will be on the Bench next. Sudden deaths in the Queen city were frequent last week, and sudden deaths mean an inquest, an inquest means a jury, and a jury means a foreman. So the police, as the powers that be, evidently thought that a deliverer of punches would be the best man to deliver a verdict as to how the victim' died so suddenly, and accordingly at two inquests Tim Tracy was appointed as foreman of the jury. If the. suddenness of things had been attributed to punches perhaps the presence of Tim as a foreman could accounted for, but somebody must have had a big joke when they shoved Tim into such an unenviable job, especially as he had been m the place but a few days. It's the worst of being well-known to the police! Still,, after all, it's an experience, and when the hairs on warrior Tim's head begin to fade he can look back and swear that the worry occasioned when foreman of two juries at Auckland was a contributing factor to the sign that man is no longer young. Needless to remark, in conclusion, Tim enjoyed the joke as well as anybody else.
Connor.—On the 2Sth March, 1917, Annie, beloved wife of James Joseph Connor, and youngest daughter of M. Tracy, of Manners street. Private interment. No flowers (by request).
Goldsmith.—On the 9th May, 1926, at Wellington Hospital, Alice, dearly beloved mother of Mrs. F. Hey, Lower Hutt, and Mr. Leo Brett, Nelson, and sister of Mrs. Tim Tracy and J. 11. Quin, of Wellington. Interred at Karori to-day. R.I.P.
Much interest centred in the wedding at the Basilica, Wellington, on Wednesday evening of Miss May Tracy, the well-known tennis player and several times champion, which was witnessed by many devotees of the game at Resent in Wellington. The bride is the daughter: of Mr and Mrs T. Tracy, of Willis Street, and the bridegroom Noel M. Thompson, solicitor, of Levin, son of Mrs and the late Mr E Thompson, of Austin Street, Wellington. The ceremony, which was choral, was performed by the Rev. Father Smyth, and the church was decorated for the occasion by friends of the bride. Mr Tracy gave his daughter away. She wore a frock of white marietta starred with silver, the close-fitting bodice all silver, and silver in lace design edging the full, long skirt. Her tulle veil was embroidered in silver, and fell from a, coronet of pearls and diamante finished, yd th orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of white flowers.
Three bridesmaids attended her— Misses Alma Clegg, Nancy Thompson (sister of the bridegroom) and Vera Flan. They wore frocks of floral ninou in rose, almond green and lime respectively, made with full skirts falling .to the ground at the back and finished with three frills narrowing to the sides. Their hats of crinoline straw to match their frocks were handpainted and they carried bouquets to tone. Their gifts from the bridegroom were antique bracelets set with square jewels to match their frocks. The bridegroom was attended by Mr D. Cullinane, of Feilding, as best man and Mr S. Scott (cousin), and Mr F. Desmond as groomsmen.
After the ceremony a reception was held by Mr and Mrs Tracy at the Adelphi Cabaret, where the tables were decorated with pink shaded sweet peas and centred with the pink and White iced cake. Mr G. N. Goldie propose! the toast of the bride and bridegroom. Mrs Tracy received her guests wearing navy blue marietta and lace with vest of beige, and navy hat finished with ospreys. She carried a bouquet of pink roses. Mrs Thompson, mother of the bridegroom, wore navy blue and fawn and a navy hat, and carried a bouquet of crimson roses. Later the bride and bridegroom left for a motor tour in a car which was the bridegroom’s gift to the bride. She wore a frock of maize crepe de chine pattern id with large black and crimson rose ever which was a coat of maizc-coloured lace embroidered wool, with a dose-fitting maize hat of summer felt. Among the guests were relatives and friends from Wanganui, Timaru, and Dunedin, and many tennis players from different parts as well as Wellington.
Bridget Treacy or Tracy, married woman, of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, deceased about 24 Dec 1930, estate Post Office £22 3s 3d Realty £370 0s 0d Total £392 3s 3d
I give devise and bequeath the whole of my estate to my son Timothy absolutely should he survive me.
Quin.— On 27th July 1931 at Welliugton, James Hugh Quin, beloved brother of Mrs. Tim Tracy, 193, Willis street; in his 61st year. "Peace, perfect peace."
Tracy - On February 3, 1935, at Auckland, Michael, the beloved husband of the late Bridget Tracy and father of Timothy, Michael, Ben, Patrick, and Bro. Leo (Timaru); aged 82 years. R.I.P.
The death is reported from. Auckland of Mr. Michael Tracy, for many years in business in Wellington, and father of Mr. Timothy Tracy, of Upper Willis Street.
The late Mr. Tracy, who was born in County Clare, Ireland, came to New Zealand fifty-eight years ago by the ship Waimea. He was accompanied by his wife (who died four years ago), his eldest daughter, Mary (Sister Camillas, of the Catholic Orphanage, who died six years ago), and Mr. Timothy Tracy, formerly well known in boxing circles in New Zealand. Upon his arrival in Wellington, Mr. Tracy found business none too brisk in town, so he set up as a bootmaker and repairer at the Upper Hutt, as at that time there was a largo number of men employed on the railway works building the line that was to connect Wellington with the Wairarapa. When that work gave out Mr. Tracy shifted to Wadestown, to cater for the men who were employed in the construction of the line between Wellington and Crofton (now Ngaio) for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. Subsequently he commenced business as a boot salesman in Willis Street, and remained there for some thirty years before shifting into Manners Street. He had been out of business for some years prior to his death.
...Two other old bowlers...Mr. M. Tracey, died recently...Mr. Tracy was a member of the Aucklanf Club...Mr. Tracy was a noted leading exponent and his services in rink play were always in demand...
James Leo Tracey, of Wellington and Palmerston North, Marist Brother, deceased about 4 Feb 1951, will dated 20 January 1947
...I appoint my nephew, Leo Connor, of Wellington, Roman Catholic Priest, to be sole executor and trustee of this my will
I bequeath the sum of £20 to my nephew the said Leo Connor for masses to be said for the repose of my soul.
5. Mrs J. J. Connor, the wife of the said James J. Connor [Annie Tracy married James Connor 1906] [died 1917]
John Tracey (s. of Timothy Tracey) married Bridget Naish (d. of Thomas Naish) 31 Jul 1868 Bridgetown, Clare, Ireland [Limerick State Reg]
John Tracy, 57, M, 15 O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, Boot and Shoemaker, R Catholic, Head of Family, Married, Co Clare
Bridget Tracy, 54, F, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, R Catholic, Wife, Married, Co Clare
Thomas Tracy, 23, M, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, Boot and Shoemaker, R Catholic, Co Clare
Annie Tracy, 19, F, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, R Catholic, Daughter, Not Married, Co Clare
John Tracy, 18, M, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, Boot and Shoemaker, R Catholic, Son, Not Married, Co Clare
Michael Tracy, 15, M, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, R Catholic, Son, Not Married, Co Clare
Hanorah Tracy, 9, F, O'Brien's Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge, Clare, R Catholic, Daughter, Not Married, Co Clare
* This turn, one of your creatures in the battle zone gets +1000 power, then choose one of your opponent's creatures. Those 2 creatures battle.