PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The broader Plettenberg Bay community, particularly Kranshoek, is mourning the untimely passing of well-known panel beater and Umoya Towing & Recovery Services owner Alfred John Simmers (70), father of Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers.
Alfred was reportedly travelling from the direction of The Crags towards Plettenberg Bay when his tow truck left the road near Buco on the N2 on Friday 21 August. According to Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie of Garden Route corporate communication, preliminary information suggests that Alfred had experienced a medical episode while driving the recovery vehicle, causing him to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the wall of Goose Valley.
Alfred was declared dead by medical personnel on the scene, while a passenger was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
The police confirmed that no other vehicles were involved and that Plettenberg Bay SAPS has registered a culpable homicide docket for further investigation.
In a heartfelt tribute, Alfred's family described their deep sadness following the sudden loss of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Known to family and friends as 'Alfie', 'Oom Alfred', 'Broer Simmers' or 'Priester Simmers', he was simply 'Daddy' to his six children and 'Oupa' to his 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Born and raised in Grassy Park, when the area still had many dirt roads, Alfred was the son of Harold Alfred and Shirley Daphne Simmers and the eldest brother of Dolores, Harold and Lynette.
He qualified as a panel beater and spray painter on 7 May 1976, becoming a skilled tradesman and entrepreneur. His faith also played a central role in his life. He served as a lay preacher during the 1980s and later as a priest in the Old Apostolic Church in Grassy Park and Plettenberg Bay, before laying down the ministry in 1997.
Alfred married Fredericka Simmers (née Damonds) in Kranshoek on 27 August 1982.
The couple would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary just six days after his passing and had already planned a celebratory lunch. His family remembered him as a true people person, saying a quick trip to the shops could take much longer because he would stop to talk to everyone he met.
"Mense was vir Daddy belangriker as die horlosie," they said.
A vigil service will be held at the AAS Le Fleur II Memorial Hall in Olivier Street, Kranshoek, from 19:00 to 20:00 tonight.
His funeral will take place on Saturday
29 August, with a viewing and home service at 61 Eureka Street, Kranshoek, before the funeral service at the AAS Le Fleur II Memorial Hall, provisionally from 10:00 to 12:00.
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