Garry Godley will be missed

With the unexpected death of Garry Godley last week the community has lost a man who was small in stature, but a giant in character, who had personality, joie de vivre, love for his fellow-man and boundless enthusiasm that knew no end.

He was working on a farm in the Cathcart area when he took ill, but did not survive the trip to hospital. He was 56.

Garry was the only child of George and Jenny Godley and was born and brought up in these parts. He attended Queen’s throughout his school years and gave his alma mater unceasing support, serving for many years in the mother branch of the Queen’s College Old Boys’ Association, and eventually as national president in 2012.

At the time of his death he was still on the QC Trust.

After matriculating he moved on to Onderstepoort to study veterinary science for five-and-a-half years and met Antoinette Zollinger who was training to become a veterinary nurse. They have always joked about how he had to marry her or he would never have found another girl who was shorter than he was.

There followed two years’ military service in the Taung/Hartswater area where their daughter Kelly was born. After that he was offered a position on the West Rand where Darryl was born. Alan Fisher asked Garry to join the practice in Queenstown. They arrived in the bleak winter of 1991 and loved being with his parents and so much nearer to hers (in Port Elizabeth).

The couple had woven themselves inextricably into the fabric of this town and its people. Garry was a Round Tabler for many years and served as chairman, he is a member of the church leadership group and they were active members of their bible study group. Support of and enthusiasm for Queen’s College and the Old Boys continued unabated. He was organising the 40th reunion for the class of 1979 at the time of his death.

He was on the entertainment committee of the flyfishing club, served as an honorary game ranger and was a director of the residents’ committee at Riet River, where his parents live.

Where Garry was, there was always fun and laughter, whether it was playing golf or squash, birding, cooking a “potjie” or making a braai . . . and, of course, he regarded himself as the ultimate braai master.

He adored his family and was infinitely proud of them, loved to have people around him – the more the merrier – animals, all kinds of sport and being part of everything that was going on. Someone who truly lived life to the full.

The huge crowd from far and wide at his memorial service in the Wesley Methodist Church last Saturday attested to the high esteem regard they had for him.

Rest in peace Garry, everyone’s friend. It will take a very big man to fill your shoes.