Michael Hooey was the twin brother of our classmate David Hooey. Michael is remembered as boy who sometimes seemed very determined, yet was generally rather quiet and kept very much to himself. He also had an extraordinary memory, but this did not translate into academic success. In fact Michael was autistic, but this condition, along with overactive thyroid, was not diagnosed until much later. Michael's autism shaped most of his life.
Michael left DHS before sitting his JC exams and entered the construction trade. He subsequently worked in the South African Police in Durban. Michael was a good athlete in his early years, and ran for the Durban Athletic Club. He eventually moved to Johannesburg, where he worked as a fireman and later as a miner. He married Anne Roode, but she predeceased him by many years.
About 2007 Michael emigrated to the UK, where his elder brother Christopher and younger brother Anthony live. Here is a photograph of all four Hooey brothers, taken in 2009. From the left, they are Anthony, Michael, David, and Christopher:
Michael settled in the Ascot area, and lived near the famed Ascot race course. He enjoyed sketching and painting, and was also a keen cyclist who became a well-known and recognizable figure in the surrounding community. He was a mild-mannered man of impeccable manners and a kind and generous nature. This is a photo of Michael in the winter snow at Ascot in 2017:
Michael's twin brother David passed away on 3 August 2022. Much has been written about the connection between twins, even those who are not identical as in the case of David and Michael, and it did seem strange that Michael's health declined so very rapidly after his brother's death.
Michael Hooey passed away from viral pneumonia and congestive cardiac failure on 6 November 2022, surrounded by those he loved. He is survived by his brothers Christopher and Anthony, and Anthony's wife Kitty and their family.
[Special thanks to Anthony Hooey (Class of 1964) for his help with this In Memory notice}
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