Theunis Fitzpatrick was one of an extensive network of descendants of an English cleric, the Reverend Bernard Gowran Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Durban in 1875 to conduct missionary work among the natives. His progeny spread along the seaboard of the Indian ocean, making their mark in commerce, public service, and the military in Natal, Swaziland, and Mocambique. Many of the Reverend's male descendants bore his first or second name: Theunis's late brother (class of 1963) was named Bernard, and both boys had the middle name Gowran.
Theunis was born and raised in Mocambique, so he attended DHS as a boarder in Blackmore's. He was with our cohort for only two years, 1958 and 1959, but then repeated 4th form and matriculated with a later year.
After completing school Theunis remained in Mocambique until 1966, where he worked in the port of Lourenco Marques (now Maputo). He then moved to South Africa, where he entered a career in the auto business.
Theunis married Caroline Venn in 1971, and they had two sons. Unfortunately we do not have any further information about his interests, activities, and career beyond that point.
Theunis died of cancer in Gauteng in 2013. He is survived by his sister Petra and one surviving son Paul, who both live in Australia.
Please let us know if you have any other information about Theunis and his life.
[Special thanks to Gary Edwards for researching the facts in this obituary]
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