Tribute to great EP sportsman
THE passing of Derrick Minnie, the well-known Eastern Province sportsman, sport administrator and businessman, closes yet another great chapter in EP sport.
Derrick died peacefully in Johannesburg on Thursday November 10 at the age of 77 after a long illness.
Like his late father, Jack Minnie, Derrick was a star EP athlete and rugby player. It was generally accepted that he would have gained Springbok colours for both sports had it not been for a serious rugby injury.
He captained the EP athletics team and was an excellent administrator for the PE Athletics Club.
He did, however, play in the national rugby trials and later coached the EP rugby team before moving to Johannesburg.
There he later coached Transvaal and was an executive member with Louis Luyt and Kevin de Klerk, among others.
A few years ago, he was a leading figure at the Crusaders Rugby Club celebrations.
As managing director of his firm, he travelled the world and also studied at Harvard University in America. A great achievement for someone who left Pearson High School after passing his junior certificate (Grade 10).
He is survived by his wife, Rosalee, children Craig and Tracy, and three grandchildren. His sister, Rose, lives in Port Elizabeth.
Les Barnes, Sunridge Park, Port Elizabeth