Friend and fellow bowler, Dudley Fleischman, has written this heart-felt tribute to his friend, George Shawe (Snr), who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83:

I’m feeling very sad and shocked at the moment.

My good friend and bowling buddy, gentleman farmer George Shawe (Snr), has passed away after a freak accident on his farm on Tuesday.

He was supervising the building of a weir across a river on his farm when he apparently suffered what may have been a dizzy spell (or possibly a heart-attack) and fell off the weir which was some four meters high.

His injuries were so severe that he passed away in the ambulance on the way to hospital.

George and I played bowls together for over 20 years and a nicer, better partner one could never wish for.

We walked many a mile on the greens together and played many competitions and tournaments. Lost a lot, won some but always had a good time.

He was always cheerful, optimistic and encouraging and seldom had anything negative to say about fellow bowlers or the opposition players.

As a friend, he was always pleased to see me and usually wanted to chat and catch up about the old days.

George was the patriarch and pillar of strength of his close-knit family and will be sorely missed.

Michelle and I will certainly miss him greatly and our thoughts are with his widow Diane.   George’s funeral will be held from 11am on Monday, May 16, at the NG Kerk Moedergemeented, corner of Willson and Beaconsfield Streets.