Norman Smith dies aged 74

His wife, Ann Smith, and daughter, Hilary Jackson, describe him as a quiet man, but one who always commanded a great presence.

Norman was born on November 16, 1940, in Lancashire, UK.

He left his home at 17, after which he obtained a BSc Engineering degree through Morris Cranes.

He studied at Loughborough University, in Loughborough, which is where he met Ann, on a blind date, in 1959.

They married four years later and moved to South Africa in 1964, for Norman’s work with Morris Cranes, which had a branch in Liverpool Road, Benoni South.

He worked at various companies over the years, including Morris Cranes and Eimco.

He then ran his own management consultancy company for the past 10 years, though it had to be closed in January, due to his worsening condition.

Norman and Ann joined the Rotary Club of Benoni Van Ryn in 1977, serving as strong members ever since.

Norman was elected president of the club twice, once in 1991 and for the second time last year, which he had to give up due to his illness.

In his presidential year in 1991, he headed the project to build Colin House (Benoni Child Welfare) in Benoni.

“The Rotary club was our family, the members saw him as their president until the end, even after he became ill,” said Ann.

“He loved life and, together, we lived a full life.

“We travelled a lot; we visited Antarctica, the Galapagos islands, China, India and more.

“We’ve been on the world’s longest zip-line, on a glacier in Alaska.”

Norman encouraged his children never to approach him with a problem, but to rather come up with a possible solution on their own, then to ask him for help.

“He was an eloquent speaker, he always told a story with great detail, but he spoke only when he had something sensible to say,” said Jackson.

“He led by example; he had great standards and ethics and he taught us to always challenge ourselves, to never accept the norm.

“He was strict, but never shouted; he spoke calmly, but you knew when you were in trouble.

“He was always there for us.”

“He loved history, reading, travelling and wildlife,” said Ann.

“He was also a radio enthusiast and loved pottery, which we both started in the past few years.

“He was a good looking man, with very strong silver hair.

“We lived in this house for 42 years.”

On June 1, Norman and Ann were married for 52 years.

Norman was known in the Rotary Club as “the gentleman”, as he always treated everyone with equal respect.

He is survived by Ann, his three children, Debbie Mockler, Kerrin Smith and Hilary Jackson, his seven grandchildren, Kirsty, Steph, Siovhan, Rowan, Caitlin, Ella and Josh, and one great-grandson, Cade.

The memorial service was held in the Northfield Methodist Church, Airfield, on June 22.

The service was led by Bryan Smith.

“He almost sounds too good to be true now, but that’s who he was,” said Ann.

“He had a splendid life.”