Doonside businessman’s death shocks family
Details of his death have not been released by police as yet.
A WELL-KNOWN face in Doonside, Franco Jardim Lourenco (49) died tragically at a friend’s home on Saturday, 1 August.
According to his ex-wife, Lorraine Lourenco, details of his death have not been released by police as yet.
The Sun contacted Toti SAPS for information regarding Lourenco’s death, but no response was forthcoming.
However, a query to the provincial police communications department elicited the following response. “We can confirm that Amanzimtoti police station is investigating an inquest docket which happened on 1 August. It is alleged that a 49-year-old male was found dead with a gunshot wound in his head,” said Major Thulani Zwane.
Lorraine described him as a loving father to Angelique(18) and Nicholas (10). “Franco will be missed dearly by his loving mom who cannot come to terms with his unexpected death. His family is reeling from shock of his untimely death, his elder sister Maria Lourenco, his nephew Avolino Lourenco whom Franco loved and admired and his young nephew Ricky (12) who will miss him dearly.”
Franco joined the army at 18, thereafter he worked for Transnet as a crane operator. After many years of service, he joined the trucking industry, specialising in transporting shipping containers. After almost a decade in the trucking business, he joined the family supermarket business.
His well-known father was the late Francesco ‘Molato’ Lourenco. In 1996, Franco was shot in the face during a robbery at Warner Beach Fisheries. After many months recovering from this agonising ordeal and with doctors diagnosing that he would not be able to speak and would need speech therapy, he overcame this obstacle and began speaking and recovered fully.
“Franco was dearly loved by many who knew him. He was friendly and jovial and never failed to bring a smile to everyone he met. He made friends wherever he went. There were too many people who would proclaim that Franco was a loving, non-violent person. He loved life and was looking forward to his next birthday when he would have turned 50 in September.
His senseless death will take a long time to come to terms with,” said Lorraine.
“Dad, the thought of you not being in my life makes the future look bleak, we will always love you and miss you, will miss our chats and listening to music together and our little debates over life. Until we meet again,” said Angelique.
