Senior citizen from Secunda enjoys retirement
Man starts vegetable garden at Davies Court.
To still be able to work at his age is a privilege for Patrick Shannon (74).
He and his wife, Barbara Shannon, traded Cape Town for Secunda 12 years ago and have been living at Davies Court for the past six years.
Patrick, who loves plants and gardening, started a vegetable garden at Davies Court with the help of the Adlers Bikers Club.
He had a landscaping business in Cape Town for seven years and is still passionate about plants today.
“I still like to get my hands dirty,” said Patrick.
Patrick went to the air force in the Western Cape for a year after he matriculated before he did a course in building supervising and got involved in the property industry.
He worked for himself for many years and was a partner in a business, importing and re-selling goods.
He always loved sports and took part in cross-country while he was still in school. After school, he took up ballroom dancing and won many competitions.
He became a football referee when he was 25 years old and he was also an avid runner in his younger years and completed both the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons five times.
“With age, your capabilities change. When I see the guys running at the Kosmos 3-in-1, my feet itch,” said Patrick, who now enjoys walking a few times a week.
The food trailer that the couple has been running for the past 10 years ensures Patrick keeps fit, as it involves a lot of physical work.
They sell boerewors rolls and other food items at school events and markets over weekends.
“We enjoy working with the people and going out,” said Patrick.
