Long-standing Sanddrift resident Aubrey Creighton, known for his dedication to improving the lives of the community, was buried from the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Botha- sig, on Saturday June 25. Mr Creighton died on Saturday June 18.
Mr Creighton moved to Sanddrift 23 years ago and became an active member of Ward 55 (residential Century City to the Waterfront), which he served for 10 years.
He recognised the need to improve safety and build a sense of camaraderie in the community, and spent many years working towards that goal.
Mr Creighton chaired the Milnerton Community Policing Forum before becoming chairman of the Sanddrift Ratepayers’ Association.
In his last years, he was Ward 55’s spokesman on safety and security and helped to set up a gated playpark for children in the area.
“My dad was a champion of the people, for the people. I actually didn’t realise how much he did, until people mentioned how he had helped them.
“He did it for no remuneration, but to uplift the entire community,” said Mr Creighton’s daughter, Natasha Pearson.
Ms Pearson said her father had an open-door policy in the community and would give the shirt off his back to someone in need.
He came from humble beginnings in Maitland and was fond of raising and racing pigeons.
His family home at Spencer Street, Maitland, was renowned as the meeting place for champion pigeon racers.
Mr Creighton was also a successful businessman and was one of the directors of the Midas group before opening up his own business, Silencer Superstar.
He left the business to open a store in Kenilworth, which he ran with his wife for more than 35 years.
“My dad had a good life, but things took a turn for the worse when my mom got ill. She passed away in 2014, and my brother died in 2001. So I believe my dad was suffering from a broken heart,” said Ms Pearson.
“He was a courageous man and didn’t want to burden people with his problems. He looked well, but he was ill.
“His heart failed him and he got pneumonia and had water on the lungs, He couldn’t fight it.”
Sanddrift Residents’ Association chairwoman Cindy Hart, who had known Mr Creighton for 18 years through his work in the community, said he would still join neighbourhood watch patrols even if he was not well.
“He was 74 years old but still in good health, and we kept Aubrey involved in the community.
“He would be there to help and guide us. He was a huge source of knowledge and guidance, and he created good foundations for residents’ associations in Sanddrift.
“Aubrey put a lot of effort into getting the park up and going in the community, so we hope to put a bench in the park with a plaque on for Aubrey.
“It is going to hit us that we have lost someone so special in our community,” said Ms Hart.
Ward councillor Bernadette le Roux echoed these sentiments and said Mr Creighton had been proud of the position he had held as the spokesman for safety and security in his ward.
“The committee met every second month, and on a few occasions Aubrey was not feeling well, yet his commitment to this position was such that he would not stay away.
“Aubrey had a great interest in election days and was available to assist and work until the final count, which often only finished at about 2am the following morning. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family,” said Ms Le Roux.