The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 111
OBITUARIES
GEOFFREY
BURTON
(1936-2025)
MURRAY
CARLYLE
(1972-2025)
Geoff Burton
studied at
UCT, the LSE
and London
University, before embarking on a
career in a business. But it was his
dedication to improving the lives of
under-resourced communities that
became his life’s work, resulting in him
being admitted to the Order of Simon
of Cyrene (with the Southern African
Anglican Church) and receiving the
Bishop Lavis Service to Humanity
Award from the Community Chest.
In 1981, Geoff founded The
Carpenter’s Shop – now known
as The Hope Exchange – taking
over a three-storey building in
Roeland Street, Cape Town. Today,
this NPO provides training and shortterm accommodation of up to six
months for homeless people, as
well as more casual services such
as laundry. Geoff stepped down
from the management committee
in 2021 but continued as the patron.
He was also involved in the support
of St Michael’s Primary School in
Khayelitsha, which continues to
provide a higher-than-average
level of education and warm
meals to children every day.
Also in 2021, Geoff was the
recipient of the Bishops Robert
Gray Medal for his significant
contribution to society, addressing
a specially arranged assembly at
the school.
Murray Carlyle
was somewhat
of a competitive
legend on the
Bishops sports fields, captaining
athletics for Ogilvie, known for his
fierce defensive tackling in rugby,
brilliant at cross country and cricket.
This never changed. Throughout
his life, he competed hard without
much caring about the outcome.
He travelled the world extensively,
technically working, but mostly
collecting friends wherever he went.
He then turned his hand to hospitality
and spent more than 25 years in
restaurants, co-owning the original
Carlyles on Derry in Vredehoek with
his brother Rob (1987O) for over two
decades. Most recently he owned and
ran Café Carlyle in Constantia with
his partner. Known to his mates as
“Bugs”, he was long-fused and kind to
everyone – the perfect temperament
for service and hospitality.
Bugs made the most of his many
talents, and he never ever stopped
grinding. He could find humour in any
situation, because nothing could keep
him down for long. And when he put
his mind to something, he committed.
Most of all, he was an amazing dad to
his three sons, Liam, Cole and Jude,
and he adored his family and friends.
News of his passing unlocked a flood
of love and support from around the
world – a testament to the person
he was. He’ll always be missed.
Geoff was married to Mary, who
was national president of The Black
Sash, and a member of the TRC. She
served for 10 years on the Bishops
Council – the first woman to do so.
Our condolences go to her, their four
OD sons – David (1979G), Richard
(1981G/K), Paul (1984K) and Keith
(1988K) – and 10 grandchildren, of
whom Luke (2015K), Michael (2017K),
Thomas (2018K) and Drew (2019G)
were at Bishops.
ROGER MAKIN
(1936-2025)
Roger Makin, a great of local
advertising, studied English literature
at Lincoln College, Oxford. Today, his
name appears in the South African
Hall of Fame for Advertising. The Red
& Yellow Creative School of Business
described his impact on the industry
as profound: “As a champion of
creativity, innovation and excellence,
he helped lay the foundation for
the values and teaching practices
we continue to uphold.”
Speaking at the celebration of life
service for Roger, former colleague
Bill Stephens explained Roger’s
significant influence: “Roger was
punctilious in every sense of the
word. His attention to detail was
remarkable; his timekeeping beyond
reproach. In fact, it earned him
the nickname ‘Rolex Makin’. He’d
arrive at the agency at 8am – not
a minute later – and read the Cape
Times till 8.30am over a cup of
coffee. I once made the fatal error
of disturbing this sacred half-hour
– I never did it again!”
During his long career at Ogilvy,
Roger helped create memorable
advertising campaigns and great
client relationships, and he is
remembered by his colleagues
as a true professional. Outside
of work, he enjoyed reading the
Flashman novels, and he loved
The original big three of South
African advertising: Bob Rightford,
Roger Makin and Brian Searle-Tripp.
“Roger shot for the sky
and created a space where
countless Mad Men and
Women could dream
the impossible, and
make iconic work
that’ll live on forever.”
–Alex Goldberg,
Ogilvy SA creative partner
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 107
