OLD GEORGIAN
UNION
Founded 1906
In Memoriam
Michael Brimer (OG 1949S), sadly passed away Tuesday, 7 March 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Michael and his brother Alan Brimer (OG 1954S) were both present at the school 100 year anniversary.
Mrs Alicia Ncobo, Preparatory School isiXhosa teacher from 2003 - 2005 sadly passed away Friday, 10 February 2023 after a short illness. She was laid to rest on the weekend of 18 February in Langa.
Jonathan Knight (OG 1971S). On behalf of the Old Georgian Union community, we send our deepest condolences to the Knight family and friends on the sad passing of Jonathan Knight in December 2022. Jonathan was living in London and was highly respected by his friends and work colleagues where he was a case worker on Immigration (he had an LLB).
Reece Consul (OG 1991P) sadly passed away on 24 November 2022. On behalf of the Old Georgian Union and the SGGS community, our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.
David Gruneberg (OG 1989P), sadly passed away of a heart attack on Thursday, 6 October 2022. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Kairos Erasmus (OG 2014T), sadly passed away suddenly, Tuesday, 7 June 2022. He had been in Groote
Schuss Hospital, receiving treatment for an infection.
Kairos started at St George's in 2001, during his time at SGGS he was passionate about sports,s, especially soccer. He was recently appointed as a teaching assistant at Bethany House Learning Centre. He was busy studying towards a bachelor's degree through Unisa.
Many will remember his dad, Mr Harold Erasmus (MR E) as their Grade 6 teacher. Our deepest condolences and prays go out to him and the family at this difficult time.
Yvonne McCallum sadly passed away on 9 March 2022 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Many Georgians will remember Yvonne and her daughter Veruschka Barends from the school Tuck Shop. Yvonne came to SGGS in 2006 to run the tuck shop at the back of Bloemendal House till 2015.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this difficult time and thank you for many years of laughter, food and friendship.
We remember Donovan Adler (OG 1971P), who passed away Friday, 15 April 2021 of lung cancer. Our thoughts and prays are with his family and friends.
Rob Atkinson (OG 1971Sc) sadly passed away on Sunday, 1 August 2021. Rob started at St George's in 1963, during his time at SGGS he forged lasting bonds with his fellow classmates. Rod was also Head Prefect in 1971. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Yolisa Qunta (OG 1997), sadly passed away yesterday (10 June 2021). Our condolences, thoughts and prays go out to her sister Nzinga Qunta (OG 2001) and her family at this difficult time.
Donovan Abler (OG 1967P) sadly passes away, Friday, 16 April 2021 after a battle with lung cancer. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
RIP Marguerite "Margi" Easter (math teacher 1991 - 2005)
Mrs Easter (SGGS math teacher 1991 - 2005) sadly passed away, Thursday, 25 February 2021 after a long battle with illness. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her home in Norfolk, UK with her husband, Dr Barratt Easter and her daughter Catherine by her side. Our condolences go out to the family and friends.
Mr Easter took early retirement in 2005 after many years with St George's Grammar School. At Prize-Giving at the end of 2005, headmaster Mr Barry Hart shared his thanks. Here is an extract from the speech on "The Georgian" Magazine.
"I thank you for your professional teaching approach, your thoroughness to detail and your dedication to the task. I thank you for the holidays and weekends you spent taking extra lessons. I thank you for the numerous camps you arranged and for the overseas trips you accompanied and organized. I thank you for being a loyal colleague and friend. You have been an asset to us in so many ways and on behalf of us all, I wish you a restful time ahead." Mr Barry Hart (Headmaster 1998 - 2010)
Margi Easters son shared a lovely message about and to his mom.
"She was an amazing and loving wife and a mum in a million. She has a gear passion for kids and teaching as well as an incredible love for the outdoors, leading many camps and hikes. Her passing has left a gaping hole in our lives but her legacy and beautiful memories live on in us." Mark Easter
RIP Mike (Johnny) Downes (OG 1951) sadly passed away on Friday, 18 December in Hermanus after a long battle with cancer. He was 86. Mike as many will remember him was a great friend to the school and attended many of the Old Georgian Union functions. Mike attended the 170th Celebration dinner joining the vintage table of contemporise from his time at SGGS.
I chatted with Mike during the early part of the lockdown in May, he shared with me that he has enjoyed a long and very happy life; thanks to 62 years of marriage to a wonderful lady, loving children, and not regretting one minute of what SGGS has done for him.
Ronnie De Vin (OG 1969Sc) sadly passed away on 23 December 2020 due to covid complications. Our condolences go out to his family and friends and his beloved wife Lee-Ann.
James Davidse, a long-serving staff member and beloved teacher to many Georgians sadly passed away peacefully on Saturday, 14 March 2020.
During his many years teaching business studies at SGGS, he was involved with many of the school activities, from a role in the school play to coaching cricket, badminton and the short-lived drivers-ed programme. He also organised the annual Golf Day at the Milnerton Golf Course.
Georgians will remember the many chats around soccer and the English leagues and his passion for golf. Many, many Georgians shared fond memories of Mr Davidse on Facebook.
The family had a quiet family cremation and service amidst the Covid-19 pandemic requesting that the service be followed digitally on Tuesday, 24 March at 11:00 and to light a candle in the memory of James.
Once we have moved through the pandemic a memorial service will be arranged to celebrate his life.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Prof Michael Savage former Board of Governors member from the 1980s and 1990s sadly passed away Sunday, 15 March 2020. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Vincent Welby-Solomon former Board of Governors member from 1995 and who helped with many of the building and renovation projects, sadly died on 6 January 2020 of cancer.
Bruce Dennison (OG 1962 - Head Boy) sadly passed away Monday, 13 April 2020 after a very short battle with brain cancer. Bruce was involved with SGGS for many years as a Board of Governors member to Chairing the Old Georgian Union Committee in the 1990s leading up to the 150-year celebrations in 1998.
He is fondly remembered by his fellow classmates as a great friend, amazing leader and captain of the 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket teams.
Former Headmaster (1983 - 1997) Paul Cannon remembers Bruce’s wonderful support for his old school for over many years.
Bruce Dennison had a very successful career in the health products and food supplement industry. Click here for a message from his colleagues and the chairperson of the HPASA.
Our condolences to his wife Maryke and his sons Robert and Andrew.
Mike Martin (OG 1966) passed away suddenly in August 2019 in Melbourne where he and his wife moved and enjoyed living. Mike had a fairly light stroke in July followed by a heart attack a few months later. Mike was always a wonderful friend to his old school and kept in close contact with his fellow classmates.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife, family and friends.
Stephen Alan Levin (OG 1978) sadly passed away in January 2020 after a short battle with colon cancer. He was remembered for being a Matric Prefect, 1st team Rugby, a member of the debating team and the swimming team by is fellow classmates. Our condolences go out to his family and friends
Old Georgian, Christopher Paine (OG 1985), died of a heart attack in his Wynberg flat, on Saturday 24 August 2019. He was the older son of Victor Paine, the legendary SGGS Second Master under Graham Dods.
At St George's, Christopher had a very successful, all-round career culminating in a Matriculation Exemption in 1985. He was a prefect, wicket-keeper for the 1st Cricket XI, hooker for the 1st Rugby XV, and the winner of the English and Latin prizes.
After leaving St George's, having done his army training he gained a BA with Honours from UNISA and joined a security company for whom he worked for nearly 30 years. His job included working at Evergreen in Rondebosch where he was greatly liked. The residents and staff there honoured his memory at a memorial get-together.
Our sincere condolences go to his mother, Annette, and to his brother, Andrew.
On Monday, 4 November 2019 Patrick Coyne (OG 1945) passed away.
Patrick Coyne penned the history of the school “Cross of Gold” released for the school's 150th in 1998.
He attended St George’s Grammar School from 1936 to 1945, during which time he experienced the headmastership of both Rev CC Tugman and Mr PE Cuckow. He was a boarder at Bloemendal during 1939 and played cricket (captaining the U/14 XI) and 1st XV rugby. In his Matric year, he was a prefect and captain of Shaw house.
After trying out careers in banking and wholesale pharmaceuticals he enrolled at the Johannesburg College of Education and obtained a teacher’s diploma. Following this he was awarded a bursary from the South African National Council for the Deaf to study at the University of Manchester, for a Certificate for Teachers of the Deaf and subsequently taught at the Royal School for the Deaf in Margate, Kent, before returning to South Africa in 1953.
He taught at St Vincent’s School for the Deaf in Johannesburg for five years before being appointed Principal at Fulton School for the Deaf in Gillits, Natal. He then joined the Natal Education Department as an assistant teacher at Warner Beach Primary School and was promoted to vice-principal at Addington Primary School and later to the acting principal ships of Northlands and Windsor Park Primary School.
His first principal’s post was at Williams Hartley School, but other headships followed at Park View Senior Primary and Atholton Primary in Umhlanga Rocks.
On retiring in 1998, he turned his time to hobbies: restoring and running old Rover cars, re-building the Coyne voice pitch indicator (invented by his father), photography, acting in the producing amateur plays, and writing. Three of his radio plays have been broadcast by the SABC and several short stories and articles have been published in magazines.
For two years he was lured back to teaching computer science at Gordon Road Girls’ School, before returning to his hobbies and writing about his alma mater – St George’s Grammar School.
Patrick is survived by his wife Helen (Wilson) and two children, Marion and Christopher.
Click here - Writer's Circle remembering Patrick Coyne
Joan Suttle (Staff 1986 – 1990) passed away on Monday, 29 April 2019. Our sincere condolences to her far-flung family, from many who benefited from knowing her at St George's.
On 30 April of Mrs Joan Suttle with her husband, Ray, arrived from Zimbabwe to teach at St George's towards the end of 1986. Ray taught Latin here for many years before moving first to Herschel and then to Bishops to teach that subject.
During her time at SGGS, Mrs Suttle - known to the pupils as M'am - taught English to Matric candidates. She always demanded the very highest standards of speech, expression and courtesy; her excellent work was reflected in our great success in public speaking, debating and the annual Eisteddfod, and many will remember her production of 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' and her fortnightly sessions of public speaking in the Hall.
In December 1990, after teaching here for nearly six years, she left to concentrate on her estate agency work, but continued to live at St George's while her husband taught Latin here; he also ran the cricket, the rugby and the squash."
John Ford (OG 1971) passed away suddenly from a seizure and complications due to diabetes on Thursday, 18 October 2018 in Nijmegen, Netherlands where he had lived for the past 38 years. John was a talented musician and was a chorister in the Cathedral choir. Many of his classmates remember him fondly.
Bridget Philips (Staff 1986 - 2011)
After a long battle with cancer, Bridget Philips died in Somerset West on 19 January 2019. Her husband, Peter, received hundreds of messages of tribute and sympathy - from the folk at Falcon College, Zimbabwe, where she'd been Headmaster's secretary for a while as well as from friends at Bishop's where they'd lived when Peter taught there; and from teachers, admin colleagues and support staff at St George's.
In 1986, Bridget became Assistant Bursar at St George's and in 1988, was appointed Bursar. A note in the Georgian Magazine states "Special thanks to Bridget Philips whose capacity for an incredible volume of meticulous work is enormous". She continued for years in this position, eventually becoming Chairperson of the Western Cape Bursars' Association. She left St George's in 2011.
Barry Hart was in Malaysia when an informal gathering was held in the Teek Quad to remember Bridget. Barry sent a message which encapsulates the many-faceted person she was: "So sorry to hear about B.
She was a very good soul and a wonderful colleague. She was devoted to St George's, and so kind and generous to all less fortunate in the St George's community - including 'the blurry ekerdemiks', in her words!"
Our sincere condolences to Peter, her sons Sean and Jonathan, and to their families.
Rodney Palmer (OG 1966) passed away on 30 April 2015.
William (Bill) Neate (OG 1941) passes away on 9 May 2015. Bill was an incredibly loyal Georgian. As a youngster growing up in Windhoek, he was sent by train to St George’s and in the late 1930s was a boarder in Bloemendal House under Headmaster Tugman for whom he always retained a great regard.
Two of his gifts to the school were the Chapel organ, which has benefitted the school for years but now requires major repairs, and the superb antique Tantalus which he bought from a Cape Town antique shop having noticed that the little plaque on it indicated it had been presented to Tugman when he had ceased his Headship. This fascinating object is still in the Headmaster's study.
“As Headmaster, it was my very good fortune that Bill became a member of the St George’s Board of Governors in 1986 and served until I retired at the end of 1997. During that period, he was Chairman of Finance and also Vice Chairman of the Board on different occasions. I’m convinced that his financial good sense and expertise, as well as his steadfast determination to assist in maintaining the viability and good reputation of our school, was vital for the stability and sound progress of St George’s. I regard him as a “rock” on whom one could always depend for loyalty support and wonderful advice.”
Paul Connon (Headmaster 1983 - 1997)
Derek Odendaal (OG 1963) passed away Sunday, 24 May 2015 after a short illness. Leaves behind wife, Antoinette in Sedgefield, son Robert in Cape Town and son David in the UK.
Shirley Allan passed away on 25 August 2015 in the UK. Shirley taught in the Prep School at St George’s for 24 years from 1974 - 1998. Over the years she set a firm foundation for many Georgians.
Brandon Voigt (OG 2015) passed away on 11 September 2016 after a lengthy but bravely fought illness.
Brandon joined our school in Grade 5 in 2008. In his Matric year, he was Tugman House Captain and also set himself mini-goals such as attending his brother’s wedding, attending his Matric Dance and celebrating his 18th birthday. Brandon was an extremely gifted and talented artist and a strong Waterpolo player.
He had a heart for service - delivering clothes to the needy. He also gave many hours to CHOC. He was also adept at magic, which he put to use at Vincent Pallotti Oncology Unit. Part of his Matric year and 2016 was spent working at Grace’s at Howard Centre. In his spare time, he was passionate about drifting, using radio-controlled modelled cars.
Robyn Davies (Staff 1982 - 1995)
It is with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Robyn, in September 2017, after a short illness.
Both Robyn and her husband Lawrie were on the SGGS staff from 1986 - 1995. Innovative and inspirational, she was involved in many areas of school life. A superb singer herself, she co-produced many musicals.
Robyn will be remembered by her colleagues and the hundreds of young men that she taught for her wisdom, deep faith and empathy. She will be very much missed. Our sincere sympathy goes to her twin sister Wendy Bennet, her children, Stephen, Ceri and Alun, and the extended family.
Gordon van Rooyen (OG 1938) passed away Saturday 14 June 2014
Greame Leslie (OG 1948) passed away Monday 21 June 2014
Arther Luyt (OG 1942) passed away in August 2012
Karl Oettle (OG 1955) passed away Thursday 7 November 2013 in London
Marvin Newman (OG 2000P) sadly passed away, Tuesday, 15 January 2013 in Cape Town, he was 31. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Click here for the dedication from the Laureu Awards.
Alan Peters (OG 1962) passed away Friday 8 March 2013
Mark Lindhorst (OG 1971) passed away Monday 3 March 2014 after a short illness
Jeremy Stocker (OG 1971) passed away Thursday 22 November 2012
Tributes to Geoff Burton
Patrick Coyne (OG 1948)
“I met Geoff when I was introduced to the staff members at the time of the publication of my history of the School, Cross of Gold, and he made an indelible impression on me.
Geoff Burton’s career at our school was a shining example of the dedication its teachers brought.”
Mike Martin (OG 1966)
“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, I’ll always remember his very cheerful manner and friendly smile whenever I met him.”
Sumaya Mall (OG 2000)
“I am relieved that Geoff’s suffering is over, I will miss the communications on bbm we had in recent months.”
Tashkeen Gool (OG 2005)
“May our beloved Mr Burton rest in peace, Amen. May God accept all our Prayers made for him and by him.”
Robert Owen-Wahl (OG 1994)
“I’ve schooled the world over and had many dozens of teachers. Mr Burton was without a doubt one of the most memorable. He kept us on our toes, many happy memories dating back to the boarding house in the 1990s.”
Jeremy Harris (OG 1985)
“Geoff Burton played a huge role in my life at St George’s. I remember him fondly.”
Carla Felix (OG 2008)
“Mr Burton was a great man and I was privileged to spend most of my schooling career with him.”
Stuart Shaw (OG 1969) passed away Saturday 5th May 2012
(Buzz) Ralph Andrew Quinn (OG 1939) passed away Saturday 29th April 2012 after a short illness, He was 88. He was very proud of St George’s and was Chairman of the Old Georgian Union
Anthony (Tony) Morris (OG 1969) passed away Friday, 16 March 2012 after suffering from a heart attack
Tribute to Tony Morris
by Paul Thompson (OG 1969)
“I first met Tony at St George’s in Standard 4 in 1963. We became very good friends. We had similar interests on the sporting fields so we spent the next seven years playing cricket, tennis, rugby and any other sport we could find time for in between. Tony was a great sportsman, on and off the field. He was very talented and very determined. I remember when he scored a century, an amazing feat in schoolboy cricket. Of course, he received his school colours for that. We continued to be boarders here at Bloemendal until Matric. There are always up-and-down times at boarding school, but having a good friend like Tony made it all the more fun.
I was lucky enough to share a few great holidays with Tony and his parents. After school, Tony studied in Durban and I remember Tony organizing all the girls for a night out on the town, a charmer of note.
They remain great memories.
We didn’t connect for many years while we were pursuing our careers, gallivanting around the world and making families, but it was Tony, that persevered to find all his old friends. It was great to meet him again, but really unfortunate that it has had to end so soon.
I think we are all especially grateful for the huge effort he put into getting the Class of ’69 together for our Forty Year Reunion.
I will remember you, Tony, as a fun, jovial guy that always saw the positive side of life.
We will all miss you, Dear Friend.”
Some words from fellow Georgians
Chris Thom (OG 1969) is now in New Zealand
“Best scrumhalf of 1967… always passing on, that’s the way we did it… good memories”
Dave Roy (OG 1971)
“Always encouraging old classmates of his era to get together and keep up the contacts.”
Mike Martin (OG 1966)
“He will be a hard act to follow as he was a larger-than-life character; our prayers are with him and his family”
Mike Gay (OG 1969) is now in Norfolk England
“He will be sorely missed by us all. He has been my link with Cape Town for a number of years”
Steve Eales (OG 1969) founding Director Naartjie Clothing
“Tony was a super sportsman at school playing 1st Team Cricket, Rugby and being active in athletics.”
Jeremy Walker (OG 1971)
“Tony was one of the real connectors in the OGU”
‘Zane’ Cronje (OG 1955) passed away on 16 April 2011
Chris Cunningham - Moorat (OG 1963) passed away in April 2011
Boudwyn (Buddy) Hulscher (OG 1953) passed away on 15th July 2011 in Canada; Bubby was Head Prefect in 1953 and also Chairman of the Old Georgian Union.
John Davis (OG 1955) passed away earlier this year (2011) in Cape Town
Brian Snaddon (Staff member 1985 - 1990) passed away on 25 Aug 2011 in Cape Town.
Geoff Don (OG 1947) passed away on 6 October 2010 in Winbourne, England.
Lilian de Villiers (Secretary for many years until 1984) passed away recently (2008). We send our condolences to her son Brian de Villiers (OG 1983)
Peter Hunoldt (OG 1961), passed away in October 1996. Peter had been looking forward to the 150th celebrations and was already making plans for out-of-town OG’s to stay with him over the main weekend. We extend our sincere sympathy to his widow
Alexander 'Alec' Salkeld (OG 1922), formerly of Laubscher Park, Port Elizabeth, passed away in November 1996.
Ian Vaughan (OG 19??), of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe passed away on 16 September 1996 after a hard gallant battle with cancer. His widow, Jean to whom we extend our deep sympathy wrote to say that he worked up to 3 weeks before his death and that his courage and fortitude were an example to all around him.
Charles ‘Roy’ Wallace (OG 1934) of Fish Hoek passed away in December 1996. We extend our sincere sympathy to his widow, Loretta.
Edgar Percival Knipe (OG 1936) of Diep River, died in April 1996. His wife Joan phoned to say that she had been in the UK to stay with her son for several months and on her return has kindly donated Edgar’s SGGS blazer badges, both of which will join our collection for display. We thank her most sincerely.
James ‘Jim’ Hodge Davidson (OG 1941) died on 5 July 1996. After leaving school he joined the Air Force and flew Mustang P51s as a fighter pilot in North Africa between 1942 and 1945. He studied engineering and went on to set up two businesses - Table Bay Engineering and Trama Surgical Services. He is survived by his wife Nova, son Chris (who matriculated from SGGS in 1977), two daughters and 5 grandchildren
Dr Frank Spracklen (OG 1950), in February 1993, one of our most distinguished Old Georgians, Dr Frank Spracklen, was killed in a car accident near Leeu-Gamka.
Mr Cuckow was Headmaster when Frank first entered St. George's in the 1950s. Frank was a haemophiliac; the next Headmaster, Canon Peacock, recalls that no other school in the southern suburbs was willing to accept the responsibility of having Frank as a pupil, and at St. George's a Spracklen family servant was employed to carry Frank from class to class to ensure that he did not injure himself.
After matriculating, he studied at UCT, in America and in Great Britain. He became an expert in infectious diseases — malaria in particular, and later in AIDS; indeed, at the time of his death, he was probably the foremost authority on AIDS in South Africa. For his work, he was honoured by the American College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians in London.
At Frank's memorial service in St. George's Cathedral on 17 February, Old Georgian Errol Haynes spoke about their schooldays together and their lifelong friendship: Errol said that although Frank's disability precluded him from playing games, he had a deep love for and knowledge of many sports. Although he had often been in great pain, his sense of humour was remarkable and his tremendous courage enabled him to achieve more than most men. One such achievement was the establishment of the well-known AIDS clinic at Somerset Hospital in the face of real prejudice towards sufferers of that disease; the care, concern and love Frank showed for these people was extraordinary. As Dean Colin Jones said during the service: "Throughout his life, Frank's health was severely compromised; his dedication and commitment never faltered, however".
We offer our very sincere condolences to Frank's wife and to his two daughters and their families.
