MOSSEL BAY NEWS - John Daniel Edwards, a well-known Mossel Bay resident who made the town his home in 1977, died peacefully on Sunday 20 September at the age of 89 following a short illness.
His family remembers him as a hardworking man, devoted husband, father and grandfather who was happiest when he was busy.
“We had him until 89. And although 89 years is a long life, somehow it still doesn’t feel like enough,” his family said.
Born to Eve and Jack Edwards, John grew up in the Klerksdorp area with his brother, Robert, whom he affectionately called his “brudder”. Robert died in 2025.
John worked as a blaster on mines in South Africa and South America before meeting Heather, the woman who would become his wife, in 1967.
The couple married just three months after and spent almost six decades together. They initially lived in Stilfontein and later on a farm outside Klerksdorp, before settling permanently in Mossel Bay.
It was here that John developed a deep connection with the sea and with boats. He started Mariette Fishing with his friend, Koos van Rensburg, and they were later joined by Robert.
Although he eventually sold the business, John did not remain retired for long. He returned to the deckboat industry and later became involved in sardine packing.
“He simply had a thing for the sea and boats,” his family said. His love of the sea also became part of his family life, as his daughter, Chantel, and son, Clint, recalled fishing trips to the beaches of Dana Bay and learning to fish from his boats in the Mossel Bay Harbour.
John was also an avid lawn bowler and served as chairperson of the Mossel Bay Bowling Club. He was a passionate pigeon fancier and a member of the Mossel Bay Pigeon Club, where he enjoyed many years of friendly competition with his brother and fellow enthusiasts.
At home, John was known as someone who could fix almost anything. “Give him some bloudraad and a problem, and he would make a plan,” his family recalled.
John grew vegetables, worked on the house, pipes and pool, and kept busy with whatever needed doing. He also faithfully drove Heather wherever she needed to go, particularly on shopping trips.
Family was at the centre of John’s later years. John and Heather became grandparents to Sian and Matthew Klose in 2000, followed by Hana in 2007. They embraced the role wholeheartedly, becoming a constant presence in their grandchildren’s lives.
John Daniel Edwards
In particular, they played an important role in Hana’s childhood, collecting her from primary and high school, taking her to sports practices and attending countless hockey matches.
John also became an honorary grandfather to Hana’s hockey friends, including Mikayla Sheppard and Amber Cairns. “He was affectionately known as ‘Oupie’ by all the schoolteachers and scholars alike,” his family said.
“He didn’t need to say much. He simply showed up.”
John is survived by Heather, Chantel, Clint, Hana, Sian, Matthew, son-in-law Gavin Klose, sister-in-law Elaine Edwards, nieces and nephews Robert-Mark and Elsabe, Adrian and Sharon, Colin and Lindie, and their children, Elaine, Berlè, Robert Mark, Cara, Robynne, Robert, Connor, Lauren and Olivia.
The family thanked the Life Bay View ER personnel on duty, the Mediclinic George ICU medical staff, Dr Eyal, Dr Maggie de Swardt, Dr Steenkamp and the staff and medical personnel at Nurture Mossel Bay for the care, compassion and dignity they had shown John and them during his final days.
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