Alan Barrable dies age 78
While he was known to many, in numerous places, for his contribution to community service organisations, Alan Barrable was first and foremost a family man, fiercely passionate about those closest to him.
He died on Saturday, November 8, aged 78.
His son, Ian, described his love for his family and his Lord as unshakeable and knowing no bounds.
Although he was born to Leslie and Margaret Barrable in Witbank on April 4, 1936, Alan proudly told all he was “born and bred” in Benoni.
In 1953 he matriculated from Benoni High, where he had received colours for cricket and tennis and was a drummer in the pipe band.
Alan was one of four brothers (John, James, Alan and Peter) and he had said of his childhood that they ”were raised with a Bible in one hand and a cricket bat or tennis racquet in the other”.
He loved sport throughout his life and, as a young man, won the Northmead Tennis Club championships 10 times and earned his provincial colours for tennis.
The Barrable brothers were well known in Benoni for their competitive spirit.
Alan worked briefly at Caltex Oil and Burroughs Machines as a salesman and then, in 1959, he joined his father at SA Mining Supplies which, together, they built into a successful business that continued for over 25 years.
After having sold SA Mining Supplies, Alan was involved in real estate for a few years and was then approached by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries to become their CEO.
He worked there for 14 years, until his retirement at the end of 1999.
Alan married Pamela in November, 1959, and they had three children.
His love for his family knew no bounds and this was demonstrated in the way he remained a devoted friend and support to Pam throughout, despite their divorce.
Early in their marriage they were very involved in the Caledonian Society and Alan was a founder member of LifeLine.
He was known to countless people through his work in a variety of service organisations.
He joined Benoni 23 Round Table in 1961, served in numerous leadership roles, culminating in being the first South African elected as World President of Young Men’s Service Clubs in 1976, and was asked to serve an honorary membership for a year.
Alan was elected to the Benoni City Council in 1978.
He served as chairman of the management committee for seven years and, in 1986-87, as Mayor of the city.
In this he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Thom (1911-13) and brother John (1976 – 77), apparently the only time Benoni has had three mayors from the same family.
In honour of his service he was also recognised as an alderman of Benoni.
At the same time Alan began his involvement in Rotary, initially joining Benoni Rotary Club in 1978 and later moving to Benoni van Ryn Rotary Club, where he remained a current and active member.
He was passionate and committed.
In Rotary, he served with dedication in many roles, inter alia, as president of Benoni van Ryn, District Governor, regional co-ordinator of the Rotary Foundation, and Council of Legislation representative.
His greatest honours were to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award and, finally, being nominated as Rotary International President’s Personal Representative.
Alan always strove to give his best and his regular 100 per cent attendance record at Rotary is indicative of this.
Throughout his years in Round Table, the town council and Rotary, he was loyally supported, first by Pamela and later by his second wife, Sue.
Ian said his father was passionate about serving others and would do this at every opportunity, never happy to just participate, but always striving to lead.
From a young age Alan was a committed Christian. He was ordained as a local preacher in 1966, and remained fully involved in the Methodist Church.
He touched many people’s lives through his counselling, visiting of the sick, and his involvement in the Men with Cancer Support group and was currently still serving as an elder and trustee at Northfield Methodist Church.
Alan had numerous hobbies, including squash, bowls, and golf.
He served as president of Benoni Country Club for numerous years, was a loyal supporter of Western Province rugby and loved bird watching.
Over and above his active public life, his love for his family and for God’s creation was clearly evident in all that he did.
He travelled extensively and lived passionately, always setting new goals and challenges, while his warm touch and keen sense of humour was experienced by many.
Alan will be remembered by his family as a “giant of a man”, extremely generous and someone whose love knew no bounds.
Ian said nothing was too much trouble for him; he has left a massive void and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his three children, Wendy, Brenda and Ian, his grandchildren, Bradley, Stacey, Luke and Jessica, as well as step-grandchildren Kirsty, Lloyd and Kelsy and very special companion and partner Louise, all of whom filled his life with love and joy to the end.
The funeral service will be held at the Northfield Methodist Church on Friday, November 14, at 1pm.
