Obituary: David Ian “Box” Bartholomew
Fondly known as 'Box' by the Amanzimtoti community, David Bartholomew will be missed by many who were fortunate to cross paths with him.
DAVID Ian “Box” Bartholomew passed away on November 19 and will be missed by many whose lives he touched.
Also read: Obituary: Ronald ‘Ronny’ Schleicher
He volunteered for the Winklespruit Lifesaving Club for many years and was later made an honorary member for life. In his youth, he played for the Amanzimtoti Rugby Club.
David was born to the late Mervyn and Grace Bartholomew on April 24, 1958 in Doonside where he also grew up. He attended Kingsway High School and completed his one-year compulsory service with the South African Police.
He studied civil engineering at Durban Technikon and worked as a civil engineer on various road construction projects, including in Cape Town and the then Transkei. Due to health issues he left construction. He then worked at Scooters for many years as a pizza delivery driver.
He has been described as being very adventurous and mischievous in his younger days. He streaked across the cricket pitch in Durban when Graham Gooch and the English Rebel team came out in March 1982. He later started the Rent-A-Gent male escort agency, which was featured in the SUN on August 19, 1983.
He started the Mohawks Motor Cycling Club but that did not become as popular as he had hoped.
In 2003, he married the love of his life, Stephanie Mayo (Olivier), at Amanzimtoti Methodist Church after having met her at a dinner for singles. Stephanie said she had been widowed the previous year and, at that time, he was working for Scooter’s Pizza. They relocated to Port Elizabeth to spend time with her ailing mother.
Stephanie said all tributes paid have described David as kind, loving, compassionate and a good friend.
Veteran rugby journalist, Neil Greenaway, paid a glowing tribute to David.
“One of the club’s most colourful characters. What a Winkle legend, what Box did in his lifetime what many people can only dream of. Rest in peace big man. So many stories to tell, so many laughs, experiences, and memories, all thanks to you. Go well Big Box,” wrote Neil.
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