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Patrick Ullmann’s ashes brought home to Ullmann Park in Morningside
The ashes of Patrick Ullmann were brought home to the Ernest Ullmann Recreation Centre grounds in Morningside.
Patrick is the son of Ernest Ullmann, who was a well-known artist and sculptor after whom the park and recreation centre are named. Patrick died on February 28 this year, survived by his wife of 54 years Honora Norma Ullmann (82), and their biological and adopted children, and grandchildren.
“A friend of his from the army, and a friend of mine from work, decided that he and I belong together – so we went on a blind date. That’s why that song, Summer of 69, is my favourite,” said Honora recalling how she and Patrick met.
Honora talked about the circumstances which had led to their family moving away from their farm – formerly called Fairlea Farm, and now the site for the Ernest Ullmann Recreation Centre. “We were married for about five years and we were having difficulty with theft of the cows, and all that, so we decided to move to Delmas. We bought a farm in Delmas and took the herd with us there. We had a bit of a disaster in Delmas, so we moved to Nelspruit and took the cows with us. Then we decided to leave farming to live in Benoni.” Honora added Patrick then went into the business of making conveyor belts. She reflected on the kind of people her husband and father-in-law had been.
“Ernest was such a wonderful person and a fantastic artist. Patrick was a wonderful person and he made lots of friends. People loved him, and I’m going to miss him.”
Patrick’s daughter Tracey Flynn recalled her father’s last day. “He was still working on that day, making a conveyor belt,” Flynn said. “He was a fantastic father. He was always there for me, and my children. He gave me the best values I have, and I’m going to miss him.”
Flynn was born on the property where her grandmother Joyce Ullmann (the wife of Ernest) had established the dairy farm. Flynn’s children Michaela and Adin Flynn, and their adopted sister Diandre de Klerk, were also at the emotional laying to rest of Patrick’s ashes. Michaela elected to speak on behalf of her siblings in reflection of their grandfather, and great-grandfather’s legacy – and that of the property. Her memories are strongest of her grandmother and the stories she would tell which were always tied to the farm.
“I even did school projects about famous people and chose my grandfather (Ernest),” Michaela said. “For me, he was famous; I know he’s not world-recognised but his artworks are across South Africa. I feel that’s a legacy worth being shared.”
The family were joined by representatives from the City of Johannesburg, and the Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre in burying Patrick’s ashes beneath one of Ernest’s sculptures, titled The Lovers.
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