NEWS
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NEWS
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Gordon Parkin remembered
The plumbing industry lost a true champion on 9th
May with the passing of Gordon Parkin. Even through
his ill health, he continued to learn and share his vast
knowledge and further, to add value to all who sought
advice or guidance.
By Steve Brown, Iopsa operations manager
Gordon was a shining example of the proud plumber, and many
who were fortunate enough to be trained by Gordon are seeing the
fruits of his investment in training, with there being no second best
when it comes to standards. Gordon, after selling Parkin Plumbers,
moved from Durban to Hermanus to be with his daughters and
grandchildren.
At the celebration of his life, one of the younger plumbers in attendance
mentioned that what he had learnt from Gordon, was to simply question Gordon Parkin.
everything and base decisions on fact rather than hearsay.
family
I first met Gordon in the late eighties at the inaugural IOP
meeting in KwaZulu-Natal – we subsequently became both
great friends and argued constantly. Gordon grew up in the
plumbing industry, working with his father and then passing
on his knowledge to his son Grant, who is now based in
Queenstown, New Zealand.
Gordon was always up for a challenge, and if you ever attended a KwaZulu-Natal Iopsa meeting, the
polycop issue was always raised, and how Gordon had boiled a piece in his kettle and it did not distort or
fail. These were always lively discussions, and as the sign said on his desk: ‘BE REASONABLE AND DO IT
MY WAY’.
Outside of plumbing, Gordon was a past Durban city councillor, a huge animal rights supporter and voiced his
support vehemently where injustices were being carried out across various sectors. In every industry there are
those who just stand out; Gordon was such an individual. Our apprentices would complain that we were too
hard on them, so it was agreed that for a week we would swap apprentices. It was but a matter of days before
requests were made to return back, as each apprentice felt they were better off where they were.
Gordon loved Plumbing Africa magazine and on receiving it would read and devour the information. Gordon,
being the insomniac that he was, would phone me at 04:30 to ask if I had read the article on page 16 and
divulge what his thoughts were. Having travelled with Gordon and grown accustomed to dealing with the
endless reports on the standard of plumbing installations at hotels and B&Bs where we were staying, a fond
memory arises. On a flight to Joburg, we were in row three, strapped in and ready, when Gordon got up and
walked to the cockpit and (not so quietly) stated to the young lady that it is not the norm for an air hostess
to sit in the pilot’s seat. The young lady turned to Gordon where it was clearly visible that the insignia on her
lapels stated that she was indeed the pilot, and Gordon, who always had to have the last word, stated that
then she of all people should know that resting her coffee cup where situated, could cause a crash.
Another fond memory is when, in a moment of weakness, we decided one day that we would give our sons
the day off to play golf in the KZN Mike Drake Memorial Golf day. We received the prize for the longest day,
but as life pans out, my daughter met Grant on that day, and they were subsequently married a year later.
I was fortunate to meet with Gordon late last year while attending a meeting in Bredasdorp, and his
eagerness and passion for our industry still shone through; always inquisitive and seeking knowledge.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn, his daughters Caroline and Jo-Anne, and son Grant.
Our industry is where it is today because of individuals like Gordon, who strived to make a difference as an
Iopsa member. As an honourary life member, Gordon certainly made a difference and will be missed, but
never forgotten. PA
August 2019 Volume 25 I Number 6
www.plumbingafrica.co.za