Do not fear death, fear a life that is unfulfilled - Theo Rosevelt

John Whiffen's life was fulfilled, a larger than life character always with a smile or a shoulder to cry on. His energy was evident in his love of life, his love

• Of cycling
• Ridden many Arguses
• Football
• Flyfishing
• Sport
• Renovating
• Dinner parties
• Art deco
• Antiques
• Public speaking
• Travelling the world, going to a world cup
• Olympics

He was not scared of a challenge

• Confronted his fears
• Skydiving
• White water rafting
• Scuba diving
• Swimming the Midmar Mile
• Even the running with the bulls in Pamplona

With this we shared, we laughed, we cried. For it was these activities that brought his loved ones together. Most people saw the funny side of him, always playing the clown who loved a joke. Anything to put a smile on your face under sometimes trying circumstances. There was another side, a caring passionate side to the man who would help friends, family and even complete strangers. Every Christmas he collected toys for hospitalised kids.

Helping the underprivileged in life skills and mentorship with the Golden city toastmasters, a man who was never too busy to help his friends in a crisis, which happened on a regular basis - I bare testament to that.

We have all been touched by John's love and compassion. He has truly left a unique gift to us who remain. Liked by everyone, loved by most. Travel well from us all:

• Ian
• Mat
• Deleen
• Mike
• Anny
• Molly
• Jack
• Friends from the UK - Keith, Dave and Chris
• Jann
• Geoff
• Jackie

You have truly, truly enriched our lives. May you find you destiny my friend. We are all going to miss you, son.

I feel very privileged to be standing here before you today on this very sad occasion. It only seemed like yesterday that John was staying with myself and my family back in England. But in fact it was over Christmas 2003.

We only live 800 yards away from the old family home in Church Road, Roby. It was nice to see John looking so fit and healthy and totally at peace with himself.

We all fell victim to his practical jokes. One minute he would be on the karaoke, the next he would be offering sound advice, then we would be reminiscing about old times - there was never a dull moment. Good times and good memories that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

We are glad that we came here to South Africa, to see and understand some of the things we had heard about but could only imagine. His friends, his house and dogs, his work, and to get an insight into John's charity work.

John, we now realise why you loved South Africa so much.

John, your friendship was greatly valued by everyone you came into contact with. Once a friend of John's, or as he used to say, buddy, you were a buddy for life.

I would like to close with a poem from my 11 year old daughter left in a letter I found attached to my case as I walked through the front door at 3 a.m. in the morning on my way out here.

Dear God,

My name is Chris . I have come over from Liverpool and are here to represent the many friends that John had in England.

It's an honour for me to be asked to pay tribute to John today.

I've known John practically all my life, as we grew up together in the same street, and I saw him develop into the truly remarkable and special person that we all knew and loved.

John was a larger-than-life character. Once somebody met him they never forgot him and lasting friendships were often formed. John had the knack of making people feel special, wanted and important. When he spoke, everyone took notice because he was so eloquent, interesting and entertaining. He was a real charmer who never had a bad word to say about anyone. Indeed, he always put other peoples' feelings before his own and was there to listen and give sound advice in his friends' times of trouble or need.

I still treasure the letter he sent me when I lost a loved one 12 years ago, which helped me to come to terms with the devastation I was feeling. Despite being thousands of miles away at this point, he was still there for me.

John had a very positive outlook on life and was very passionate about everything he did. He didn't let anything get him down. Instead, he would just shrug and get on with things. He had a saying that, "if life served you lemons, you would simply make them into lemonade."

When I heard the tragic and shocking news of John's death last week I looked back on the times we spent together and I can honestly say there were no bad or sad memories, just fun-filled or interesting ones. I laugh to myself about some of the things we got up to, which I am afraid I can't repeat here!

One of my early memories is of the regular games of football I had with John in a neighbour's garden. When John was 10 years of age his father took us to watch our favourite football team, Everton, play in the F.A Cup Final and I recall the joy and excitement when they won the game. We then regularly went to watch Everton together.

In later years, John, Dave, myself and a couple of other close friends went out night-clubbing every Friday on what we still call "the lads' night out". John, as ever, was the life and soul of proceedings and always up to mischief. On one occasion he had us all dress up in gorilla suits for a night on the town. Imagine the looks and shrieks of horror as we tapped the girls on the shoulder to ask them to dance, and they turned around to be confronted by 6 foot hairy beasts! Anyway, enough of my mate Dave, whose nickname by the way is Wooky from the film Star Wars.

I remember, too, what a great organiser John was. Just before he came to live in South Africa, all the lads went on a camping holiday to the South of France. As well as the usual laughs John acted as our tour guide, making sure that we took in all the places of interest, like roller blading in Juan-Les Pins, sightseeing in Port Grimaud, which is known as "Little Venice" because of its elaborate system of canals, and blowing a lot of money at the casino in Monte Carlo.

When John moved to South Africa in 1982, he always kept in touch by letter or phone, and came over to visit his family and friends every couple of years.

Although John was taken from us prematurely, he had crammed so much into his life and had experienced and achieved more than any other person I know.

John wouldn't want us to be sad today, but would want us to join together and celebrate the happy and fulfilling life that he had led.

Marlin Corporation 16 March 2004

Tribute to John (Frank) Whiffen

I would like to share a few thoughts with you all and to dwell briefly on John's professional involvement since he first became part of the Marlin Group. John was appointed to Minaco in the latter part of 1999, having gained considerable experience in project and contract management with lTA-NU-Way Housing, and the Stocks and Stocks Group. Building contracting in any of its facets is not a role for the feint hearted - it is a highly competitive and demanding section of industry wherein performance is measured and is crucial, both in terms of tight time constraints and the quality of workmanship applied.

This is particularly important when embarking on the site and complexity of the cladding projects tackled by Minaco.

John brought to the group a calm methodical approach - blended with great zest, enthusiasm and a pleasant, outgoing personality which made him popular with colleagues and clients alike. He believed strongly in team effort and strove consistently to build a team mentality and team environment within Minaco's contracting operations. Perhaps this stemmed from his strong interest in the game of football - a game which cannot be played successfully by a series of individual efforts regardless of capabilities or individual skills. Added to these qualities was the consideration always shown by John towards others, and the compassion he demonstrated towards charitable causes - as mentioned in previous tributes and as I am sure will be referred to again. In his senior role as contracts manager, John recognised the value of the right team-spirit, as well as the importance of careful planning, attention to detail and the need to complete the task, not only well but first time, on time, an adage which has become a well known phrase at our Maraisberg factory.

To this end, he was always willing to apply extra effort wherever needed and, when circumstances dictated, to allow his normally calm Liverpudlian demeanour some extra license - if for some reason his efforts were not given appropriate support. Sadly, it was his diligence and personal commitment to his role that has brought us all together here today - to be with him and to share in his memory.

Minaco was requested to carry out specialised repair work on the external stone cladding of the building known as 75 Fox Street. It was John's proposal to carry out a preliminary inspection and to take exact measurements , prior to programming the manufacture of any panels found to be in need of replacement. It was John who climbed into the gondola and personally inspected three of the facades of the building and, to all of our great loss and very tragically, it was John who fell.

John leaves a big gap within Minaco management, but his contribution and character will long be remembered. The directors and staff of Minaco and of the Marlin group will remain grateful to him for his years of loyal service, and we share in the family's grief today.

May you rest well in God's hands, and in peace, John.

Graham Treagus 16/3/04

The late John Whiffen was a wonderful man, in a category all of his own. In the few short years that he was with us at Golden City Toastmasters Club, based at Saint Giles home in Kensington, he filled the roles of President, Treasurer, Mentor, Guide, Leader, Encourager, and so much more. And he did so with dignity, warmth, compassion and energy. John believed very strongly in developing whatever capabilities a person had. And he felt that not even the severely mentally challenged should be denied the opportunity to grow to their fullest possible potential.

I remember that, on several occasions, John came straight from work, having negotiated peak traffic. That sometimes allowed him a hour, sometimes as little as twenty minutes, to mentor us. And after that, he might have to rush back for another meeting. Yet, no matter how tired he was, we NEVER heard a single grumble or moan. John tackled everything he did with enthusiasm.

One of his most beautiful qualities was his insight into the human being, which was absolutely phenomenal. And his compassion and patience endeared him to us even more. Shelley Erasmus, our V.P. - P.R. last year, was going into hospital for brain surgery to remove tumors. When she was discharged, he brought her chocolates and flowers. I remember her smelling them, and so enjoying their fragrance. Being blind, her sense of smell is very keen. Again, in February this year, Shelley was scheduled for more surgery; and I went with John to Shelley's room to wish her well. His bedside manner, so warm, sincere and moving, brought tears to my eyes. As it was her birthday, he gave her a bracelet, which she now wears with great joy.

John's love of both the important and little things in life was evident. At the last meeting for the year, in November, John came equipped with sheets of Christmas carols, candles, Christmas crackers, and gifts of candy, etc. That was an evening that we will always remember.

John inspired us with his speeches: often lifting us to higher planes and always motivating us to do better. His sincerity, openness and commitment to our club and its members, as well as to everything he believed in, motivates us to do our BEST to bring to fruition the hopes and ideals that he had for Golden City Toastmasters. And we, his committee, have undertaken to do our utmost to see those hopes and ideals materialise.

To John himself we say: "Farewell, dear friend!
God bless you and richly reward you!
Thank you for enriching the lives of ALL those around you so very profoundly.
We love and respect you.
REST IN PEACE."