TRIBUTE – Abrie Spies: ‘A big tree has fallen’
He was involved in many aspects of South Coast life.
A legend and big tree has fallen on the South Coast; Abrie Spies has died at the ripe old age of 97.
Abrie’s son Danny said his father was an absolute gentleman, loved and respected by all. He was a man with no enemies, only friends.
“He was respected by all people of all nationalities, and he showed respect to all. He had many good friends, no matter if they were black, coloured, Indian or white,” said Danny.
Everybody knew Abrie, but he was perhaps especially well-known for riding up and down the coast in his perfectly maintained little red Nissan bakkie.
Many people asked him how he managed to keep the vehicle in such pristine condition.
“He used to answer ‘elbow grease’, but what he never told them was that he had six of those red bakkies!” said Danny.
Abrie grew up in Dannhauser, schooled in Heidelberg and then farmed in Dannhauser for a while.
He and his wife Sarah moved to the coast in the early ’60s when he bought a sugarcane farm in Hibberdene.
Later, he bought a farm in Umzumbe and then another farm at Oribi Gorge.
He eventually sold the farms and started Abrie Spies Estates and Holiday Letting in Shelly Beach in 1978.
Abrie left deep footsteps in the area. He was involved in many aspects of South Coast life, including church, schools and more, too many to mention.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sarah, four children (Jan, André, Esmé and Danny), 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
