Wesley Gavin made huge contribution
Wesley Gavin was born in Mossel Bay in 1935 and attended Point High School, where he was the dux.
His family has long associations with our town as his James and Jeffries grandparents settled here in the 1800s and were involved in the development of the town.
Wesley was passionate about preserving the history of Mossel
Bay. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of our built history, especially the stone buildings, and was a font of information about their origins, those who had lived in them and the businesses that traded in them.
Wesley was a valued committee member of Heritage Mossel Bay from 2000 to 2011, during which time he had a term as chairman and he continued to contribute to the work of the society until his death.
He was a founder member of the Old Photographs of Mossel Bay Working Group and his expertise and memory were essential to the capture of the stories behind the photographic history of Mossel Bay. Ever generous with his time, Wesley gave many informative lectures and guided tours of our town.
Wesley was a man of great faith and an ordained Baptist minister. He served as a missionary for the South African General Mission for eight years. He had historical links to the Methodist Church of Mossel Bay and was acommitted member of the Baptist Church where he continued to preach, as he had done throughout his career.
Wesley originally qualified and worked as a chartered accountant.
From 1974 to 1979 he joined the local board of Great Brak River first as treasurer and later as housing manager. This was followed by a 19-year academic career at Fort Hare, Natal and Rhodes universities prior to retirement to Mossel Bay.
Val and Wesley moved to Santos Haven in 2011, where he was an active member of the community and served on the management committee as well as assisting with financial affairs. Heritage Mossel Bay extends condolences to Wesley's widow Val, their children Elizabeth and Andrew, and their families. Wesley’s compassion and strength will be remembered.