A few words from me about Dad. If one of you could please read this at the service/ memorial:
Today, as we gather to bid farewell to our dear father, we are filled with both sorrow and gratitude. Sorrow for the loss of a remarkable man who meant so much to each of us, and gratitude for the privilege of having him in our lives.
Dad lived a life guided by strong moral Christian principles. His love for Jesus & his faith was the cornerstone of his character, shaping him into the loving, compassionate man we all knew him to be. He embodied the values of love, kindness, integrity, and generosity, instilling them in us by example.
He was more than just a father; he was a beacon of strength and wisdom in our lives. He worked tirelessly to provide for our family, always giving his best in everything he did.
His unwavering love and support were constants that we could always rely on, even in the toughest of times. As we reflect on his life, we are reminded of the countless memories we shared together.
From his words of encouragement to his warm embraces & “shared buckets of KFC”, every moment spent with him was a cherished gift. His presence brought light and joy into our lives, and his absence leaves an irreplaceable void.
Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will live on in our hearts forever. We find solace in knowing that he is at peace, reunited with Jesus & loved ones who have gone before him. And while we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of love, faith, and compassion.
Dad, you were the rock of our family, and we will miss you more than words can express. But we take comfort in knowing that your memory will continue to inspire us each day. Rest in peace, Paddles. You will always be loved and remembered.
Your Toddles ❤❤🙏🙏❤
Duncan McEwan was an amazing husband, father, grandad and role model to us all. He was one of the most amazing people that I have ever met, always living through faith and leading by example. He achieved so much in his life that it would take hours to even sum it all up. I know that today he is in heaven and at peace. I’ll always remember all the memories we had in our 12 years living at Komati River Chalets. Grandad always knew how to make everyone laugh and not take themselves too seriously, to have fun in life and enjoy every moment. From teaching me to drive, sitting and listening to his many life stories, or cooking us all an amazing meal, we will miss those moments most. We love you Grandad, always.
Matt, Dan & Kev.
My precious Dad, you have been such an inspirational part of my life, I can’t think of a milestone that you haven’t been a huge part of. I remember you always saying you are my only daughter and the only one of my children I saw being born. I adored you and only ever wanted my Dad when I was scared especially for the Dentist. You taught me my faith which I am so thankful for as I know it will carry me and my family through life’s ups and downs. I will miss our daily messages and weekly WhatsApp chats and most of all just knowing you were always there for a kind word, a funny story or a piece of advice. You were always my biggest fan Dad and I will miss you more than I can ever express. Please always watch over us and I look forward to the day we are all reunited in Heaven. Love you always my DD Daddy D.
I met Duncan on Durban beach in 1964. It was love at first sight. We were married in May 1966, and he has been my soul mate ever since. Duncan has always treated me with love, I have never wanted for anything, and always felt cherished.
We could laugh, cry, say things at the same time. We both loved nature and enjoyed our trips into the Kruger.
Thank you my darling for sharing all these years with me, for our beautiful children, the home you had built for me.
When people wanted to know something you would say “Ask my wife”.
We were never apart and God said when a man and a woman marry, they become one. We truly felt this.
Au revoir my darling, until we meet again. I will always have you in my heart, with the deepest love.
Your wife forever.
Ros
My grandfather was a big inspiration to me to always work hard and steer my life towards God, I’m so thankful for everything he has done for me. I will always remember the teasing and jokes but most of all the kind-hearted person that grandad was. I am proud to carry his name and will do my best to honour and upkeep the McEwan name always. Rest in peace Grandad. I will miss you. Lots of love. Dunc the Monk.
It is so very difficult to put into words how we feel about this tremendous loss that we are experiencing. We were privilege to have our dad in our lives. He was always ready with advice, and we fondly remember the chats, Kruger visits, teasing and laughter. We will always remember dad as a “straight down the line person” however also the person with the biggest heart in the world. He cared so deeply for all us that if something was wrong, dad would literally get sick with worry and would do whatever it took to help.
Dad – we are going to miss you terribly. We know that you are at peace in heaven with no more pain or suffering and that is our consolation. You will always live on in our hearts and we will live our lives to honour the values you installed in each of us.
Love you always and until we meet again.
Rich and Katjie
My rock, my mentor, my role model, my friend, my teacher, my biggest supporter, my sounding board, but most of all my adoring dad. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Ps You were right about pretty much everything, sorry it took me so long to realise that. I love you all the world. Andy
Wishing you, Aunt Ros and all the family our condolences at the passing of such a special man. Words cannot express the sadness we are all feeling. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all at this difficult time. Uncle Duncan will always have a special place in our hearts.
Unfortunately we are unable to attend the memorial service of Uncle Duncan, please pass on our love and kissed on to Aunty Ros.
Lotsa Love
Diane, Hayley and family, Michelle and my mom Ina Moult
Your Dad has always been a special man, someone guided by his faith and a love for his family like no other. I have lots of special memories of us going to Fort Victoria to visit Gran and your folks. Victoria Plumbing Works always seemed so exciting for us kids! I also remember how proud your folks both looked in their Mayoral garb! They were such a team and achieved incredible things together over the years.
What I am especially thankful for is his love for my Mum. Although they did not get to see each other much in their later years, I know she was always in his thoughts and she always spoke fondly of him. He was the one person that she remembered even as her memories of everything else faded.
We will be thinking of you all on Sunday and know just how hard the next few months are going to be. Please give our love to your Mum and brothers and God bless.
Lots of love,
John and Belinda
My condolences to you and your family. I am so saddened to hear about your dad’s passing. I will always cherish his kindness, and he was an inspiration and a hero to me. I am always thinking about all the wonderful times we shared together at KRC, and how much of a positive impact he and you all had on my life. I cannot imagine all you must be going through, but I send my condolences to you and your family, I love you all.
Hello everyone, my name is Ronald Michael Bradfield and I am here today, to honour and remember the life of Duncan John Alexander McEwan. Although I wish I could be here with you, unfortunately, I cannot make the journey from Scotland. I am grateful however to learn that Patricia and Russel, my sister and her son, will be there.
Although I was blessed with the most amazing parents. I was also very lucky to have another person in my life, my mother’s brother Duncan. Although officially my uncle, I always regarded Duncan as the older brother I never had. When I first heard from Jenny that Duncan was ill in hospital, and then got more messages over the next few days that he was unlikely to recover, I was distraught; Duncan had had what I understood were minor illnesses before, but I had never known him to be critically ill.
To speak on what Duncan meant to me is an almost impossible task; he touched me and so many other people, that it’s hard to know where to begin. He and my mother were very close and both worked in Victoria Plumbing Works, the business which their father (my grandfather) had started and which Duncan eventually took over. My earliest memories of Duncan, were when he let me play in the workshop and taught me much about the tools and all the machines in the workshop. Then at 16, I got my driver’s license and Duncan offered me a job as a driver for the business after school, taking workers to job sites, and he paid me for doing so.
Of the many fond memories I have of Duncan, two which stand out were firstly, my wedding. When I got married to my wife, Laetitia, Duncan drove her to the church in his posh car; at the end of the church ceremony, he then drove both of us back to her parent’s house for the reception. The second stand-out memory was the holiday my wife and I spent with Duncan and Ros at Komati Lodge several years ago; it was a wonderful and very memorable time and were both very sad when it was eventually time to leave.
Not only was Duncan a great uncle but he was also a dedicated husband to his beautiful wife, my Aunt Rosalind and they were a great couple. In her own words, “We were married for 58 years. He has always been my soulmate; we did everything together. we thought alike, laughed at the same things enjoyed the same things … he was such a gentleman, husband, father and grandfather.”
Thank you all for taking the time to come here to pay your condolences to my beloved departed Uncle. However, it should be remembered that Death is not the end, it is simply another step, a transition we take to move from earth to eternal life in Heaven to be with God, and previously departed friends and relatives. Duncan, you may not be here anymore, but you will forever be in our hearts and you are now in a much better place with God and your parents and sisters. You may be gone but are not and never will be forgotten.
Rest in peace.
Ros, Jenny, Rodney, Richard and Andrew. My love and may God bless you.
Ron and I have so many memories of Duncan but here are two:
We had stayed a few times and we were just starting our friendship with your Mum and Dad.
We had invited them for a braai that evening.
That afternoon Duncan was on duty and had been called to another chalet about a snake on the patio. Duncan comes marching out of the office with his gun, telling everyone to stay back while he gets the snake – mamba. Bang, bang your Dad got the snake and had all the younger children, yes and adults in awe around him – the hero! Well, when your Mum and Dad came round for supper, Duncan told us Ros was not very impressed with his heroics – as he had made holes in plaster of the chalet!!
The second memory was the most beautiful and special, when your Dad put up The Woods Spot sign. That was overwhelming.
As I say so many wonderful memories which we cherish.
I’m writing to you to offer our sincere condolences on the loss of your father Duncan. I have known Duncan since 1953, all the way through our boarding school days at St. Michael’s, Hartmann House and then St. George’s. As we were always placed in our dormitories in alphabetical order I was always a couple of beds away from him and we formed a strong friendship over the years. Duncan was a steadfast and loyal friend and whilst we did not see as much of each other recently we did keep in touch by email. We even managed to attend your parents wedding all those years ago. To Ros and the whole family please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Much love, Mary and Colin Lowe.