Former South Coaster Neil Flanagan (54), who still had strong family ties to the area, died suddenly in Cape Town last weekend.
He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the son of Kevin and Judy Flanagan.
Neil was the brother of Paul Flanagan (who died last year), Debi Stewart and Juliette Classen.
He had two children, Jess and Kyle.
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He was an avid sportsman with track and field records, following in his father’s footsteps.
He excelled at rugby, often playing alongside his brother Paul and made many friends through the game.
Neil studied to be a forester at Saasveld in George and started his working life with Hans Merenksy Holdings Ltd in Richmond.
There he did his military service as a police reservist.
Wanting a change, he began selling insurance and moved to Kokstad.
Neil rose quickly in the insurance industry and won many trips and broke records with his excellent results.
He then opened his own business – micro lending and debt collecting – which became a national company.
With that business well managed, Neil moved to Oribi to farm and raise his family, from 2004 to 2010.
In 2010, he moved to Cape Town where he expanded to international contracts with mines and other successful business ventures.
He will be sorely missed by his mom Judy, daughter Jess, son Kyle and the rest of his extended family.
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