Patterson Simpson Smith was born on Sunday, December 8, 1946, to Clarence and Rosetta Smith. Little did these two know what they were in for! From an early age Pat let the world know that he was here, and nothing much changed up until he peacefully passed on June 24.
Pat began his school career at Dundee Junior Primary and completed his high school education at Brighton in Johannesburg. Pat married Margaret in February 1969, and the two moved to Dundee in January 1975, where Pat took up a position at Good Hope Drilling Company. This was his apparent ‘day job’, while he strove to fulfil his calling as a farmer. Always the entrepreneur, Pat purchased his first backhoe in 1980, and with it the greatest of his schemes, Pat Smith Plant Hire, was born. He would be up before light to drive his backhoe himself, digging swimming pool holes, going to work at Good Hope and then returning to complete the job. Never shy of work, Pat continued with this until he was able to afford a second machine and employ his first driver.
Honesty and integrity
Pat established himself as an affluent businessman: he was a man of his word and his honesty and integrity were an integral part of who he was. His memory will live on in the continuation of Pat Smith Plant Hire under the directorship of his son Peter.
Pat’s thirst for adventure and passion for life was never-ending, even trying his hand in the hospitality business (possibly not the best venture for him and his two equally sociable mates).
Pat took to sailing like the proverbial duck to water, and only a novel would be long enough to acknowledge his great experiences and adventures. One of Pat’s proudest feats was completing the Cape to Rio in 2000, one of the many boxes he ticked on his bucket list. Pat lived his life to the full and he ended the way he began – a dynamic force who did nothing by half measures.
May he rest in peace. His family Margaret Smith, Peter Smith and Sharon Doyle would like to thank all those who have sent their love and condolences, and may the memory of his love and laughter be with you always.
