In the vernacular to which he was accustomed, its nineteen hundred, thirty hours, 6 May, 2011 and group captain Graham Cronshaw has just left us for the final time.
I do not know much about Graham prior to the mid 1980s when our paths first crossed when he took command of the Transkei Defence Force’s Air wing in Mthatha. But as time passed I became aware of the enormous number of lives that he touched as he travelled the long and winding road of life; through the war years of Rhodesia, the ravages of an unsettled early relationship and broken family and his arrival at Fidelity Cash Management Services in the mid 1990s.
Both my wife and I in our respective experiences share many memories of Graham’s contribution to what many would argue was the most successful cash security company in the country’s history.
Hard-nosed, often outwardly arrogant, single minded determination in pursuit of perfection, Graham was above all a passionately loyal member of a most dynamic, incredibly diverse and progressive team one could wish to find.
Behind the facade, a kind and gentle man, with a deep sense of understanding and sympathy for those difficult moments that life throws at us. He had a way of giving his shoulder to lean on and provided encouragement in such an unassuming manner and with such intuitive perception, that the receiver could not on recall, remember when and how the circumstance arose that gave him access to such deeply private emotions.
A man of the bush and the great outdoors. We were truly privileged to have known this man of honour.
His relationship with Dennie of over 30 years was the stuff of fairy tales. A deeper and more loving bond you will have difficulty in finding and I recall that throughout all of their years together, a bottle of wine was never opened without them raising a toast to each other with the first glass.
Bon voyage old boy and thank you. It was very, very good!
Richard Phillips
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