Eulogy for Quentin Campbell Marais

Quentin was the eldest of eight of us and, although our childhood was unconventional, he always did his best to guide us and keep us together. Nothing mattered more to him growing up than caring for his siblings.

Whilst still at school – here at Prince Edward – he started trotting with our uncle Hilton and that was where his love of horses started. He also started working at the brickfields in Mount Hampden.

Then came the war - his service and dedication to his fellow soldiers and his country was remarkable. There are numerous memories and stories of his time in service and many have described him as a legend.

After the war, he met and married Cherie and his life changed. They started their own family and as the family grew Quentin shined as a father to their three boys. They have always been his absolute rock and the centre of his universe, along with his wife of course. Nothing was too much effort or too much troublewhen it came to his family. They created many wonderful memories of fishing trips, holidays and various other adventures. Those memories will carry the family through as they process their devastating loss of a father figure, guide, teacher and best friend.

Quentin worked first at the brickfields at Wildale, which was the reason the house at 7 Crowlands Road was sought and bought. This was followed by a transfer to Premix Concrete which, in Dick Astburys words, was an extremely successful business run by the two of them.

Quentin then moved on to Sand Sales, which he managed very successfully too. The biggest sand pit ever for the three boys to have the time of their lives. Sadly, the Mash Holdings Group was disbanded and he then moved on to work for several companies - an earthmoving company and then gold mine which meant being away from home.

Thereafter he went on to work for several granite mines which he really enjoyed as he absolutely loved the bush. He worked extremely long hard hours and it was sometimes very challenging times

Quent particularly loved his times on the granite mines in Mutoko and Mount Darwin. Many happy days were spent wondering through the mountain with Quentin teaching everyone so much about the bush. This is when he was at his happiest, at one with nature.

Quentin was always open to visitors and sharing time and stories in his famous bar in the nook of the house. He was always encouraging people to try his concoctions, with a huge grin on his face while he watched their reactions. He always made everybody who came into his home or space feel exceptionally welcome and loved.

Everyone will remember his cooking and experiments in the kitchen, where he made his own atchar and spicy sauces. He relished sharing his culinary skills with anyone who was brave enough to try them.

In his later years Quentin was a kind, patient and loving carer for our mom, who he adored, in her old age. He then went on to take exceptionally good care of our uncle Quentin until he passed; and then happily took on the care of Danusia, his beloved mother-in-law.

One of our favourite memories of Quentin was the Christmas he and Sakkie were driving back from Kariba to Harare on Christmas eve. They stopped to help a family whose car had broken down. They were from Sweden and working in Zambia, trying to get to Harare to spend Christmas with friends. Their car’s electrical system had gone haywire and they could either use their headlights or the windscreen wipers. Considering it was pouring with rain that was a challenge. Quent drove ahead of them to provide lights so they could use their windscreen wipers. When they got them safely to Quentin and Cherie’s home, he made them coffee and hot chocolate while they called their friends. The young son, who was maybe 7 or 8, asked his mom, “Is this the African Santa Clause?”

When news of Quentin’s passing was shared with one his grand-nieces, she went to wake her sister and told her, “Father Christmas has passed.”

For all of us, that depicts exactly what Quentin was to so many people – kind, caring, generous to a fault and always ready with a joke and a huge hug. A giant man with a huge presence. He has had a lasting impact on every member of our family as we have grown from 8 of us into a formidable clan.

Rest well Quentin – you have indeed earned the right. We will keep you alive in our memories and love you forever. Stories will be told and we will laugh at the good times. Until we meet again.