{{Short description|New Zealand music retailer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2012}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Alfred Eady | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=100%}} | image = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | pronunciation = | birth_name = Lewis Alfred Eady | birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|05|12|df=y}} | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | death_date = {{Death date and age|1965|04|21|1891|05|12|df=y}} | death_place = Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Music retailer | years_active = | known_for = Company director, broadcaster, benefactor | spouse = {{marriage|Agnes Amelia Adams|1917}} | children = Two | relatives = Agnes Wood (daughter) | awards = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = }} thumb|right '''Lewis Alfred Eady''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=85%}} (12 May 1891 – 21 April 1965) was a New Zealand music retailer, company director and benefactor.
== Early life == Eady was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 12 May 1891.<ref name="DNZB Eady">{{DNZB|title=Lewis Alfred Eady|first= Fay|last= Hercock|id=4e1|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref> After leaving school in 1906, he worked for his father, Lewis Roberts Eady, a musician who tuned pianos and traded in second-hand instruments. When the firm moved from Karangahape Road to Queen Street shortly after World War I, Eady became managing director.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
On 17 February 1917 at Mount Eden, Auckland, Eady married Agnes Amelia Adams, a teacher.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
== Councillor == Between 1925 and 1929, Eady was on the Auckland City Council. He was enthusiastic about libraries, and in 1926 he presented Auckland Public Library with a collection of over 600 volumes of music and music literature. He continued to donate until a substantial collection of music material was established.
In the 1956 New Year Honours, Eady was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community in Auckland, especially as a city councillor.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=40671 |date=2 January 1956 |page=44 |supp=y }}</ref>
== Business owner == In 1928, the firm, now Lewis Eady Limited, moved to a seven-storey building on Queen Street that had a concert chamber, soundproofed audition rooms, and studios and professional chambers for music teachers.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
In 1930, the firm established its own radio station, 1ZR, in the Queen Street premises. Pioneer broadcasters included Aunt Daisy, Dudley Wrathall and Rod Talbot. A "radio church", the 'Friendly Road', was run by 'Uncle Tom' Garland and the Reverend Colin Scrimgeour.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
== Other activities == In 1932, Eady established the first Junior Chamber of Commerce ('Jaycees') in the southern hemisphere, and during the 1940s took leading roles in the Rotary Club of Auckland. He was also active in the Congregational church.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
==Later life== Eady died at Remuera on 21 April 1965, survived by his wife, son and daughter.<ref name="DNZB Eady"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eady, Lewis Alfred}} Category:1891 births Category:1965 deaths Category:New Zealand philanthropists Category:Businesspeople from Auckland Category:New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:20th-century New Zealand businesspeople Category:20th-century New Zealand musicians Category:Auckland City Councillors Category:20th-century New Zealand philanthropists
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