Gregory SUPRA Obituary

I first met Greg when I was an exchange student to NZ back in 2004. As a student, I was always home earlier than anyone else. Greg always arrived right after me coming back from his gym routine. So there were many occasions that we had dinner together. Greg loved barbeque, and there were only two dishes he made and had almost everyday: Peri peri chicken and steak with cabbage salad and balsamic dressing! He explained to me that he always watched out for his carb intake so there was only minimal carbohydrates in his diet. Nevertheless, I loved the food and the conversation we had. He always tried to start a conversation and not to make me feel embarrassed. Yes, Greg. I knew that not many adults would know blink-182 but thanks for telling me I had a great taste in music! I will always remember the last time I met him in 2018. He will always be remembered.

Greg was my best friend during my formative years. We had mutual loves - rugby and young ladies!
We met through a mutual SA friend Mark Easton. We became best friends instantly! Greg had an easy charm and dashing good looks. A night out as his wingman age 17-18 proved very fruitful!
He was a fiercely loyal friend. I remember his smile above all else. Used to devastating effect in female company and equally when we found ourselves in some scrape or another.
We shared an awesome few years on the rugby field. You would not want to be tackled by Greg!!
My memories of Greg are all happy. A man who lit up a room with his smile and charisma. We got each other. Spent most of our time together laughing. We had one awesome summer together in Warnford. Helen and Lennox kindly let me stay with them for the summer so Greg and I worked on the local farm. Best summer of my life living with the Supra´s. Memories of Hilton siphoning petrol out of his father´s car so we could all fill up the Triumph Herald convertible to go to a party!!! Jacqui looking glamorous all summer! Greg and I getting into trouble.
So sad to hear that Greg passed. He and his family left an amazing mark on my life which still resonates over 40 years on. Greg, his smile, his humour and spirit touched all that knew him.
When I think of Greg I promise I will always smile. He would not want it any other way

My first impression of Greg will be my forever impression... the brightest eyes, laughing face and unbelievable charm. In a moment we become friends for life... a life cut short so unexpectedly leaving a space in my heart that will never be replaced.
The memories will live on and I will treasure the huge laughs and experiences we shared.
I have to take pleasure in saying I taught you my darling Greg, to make "your" iconic bolognaise on one of the many nights we cooked in my little kitchen, as we all gathered for our famous Friday night "formal dinners" with family and friends... but knowing you as I did, you most definitely would have perfected the dish.

You will be missed..forever
You were loved and you will always be ....
Your bestie
Kimberley

The first thing you saw was Greg's smile. He even smiled when he had toothache. Greg was always so upbeat and positive. The last time we saw Greg he was looking so happy as he said goodbye. We miss him and cannot believe he is no longer with us .

Gregory Wayne Supra (25th November 1961 - 20th August 2021

On a cold winter day in Oxford in the early 1980´s Greg was powerfully riding his velocipede, a second hand "sit up and beg" ladies bicycle along St. Giles, with snow on the ground, white baggy rugby shorts, and sheltered from the cold by a warm sheepskin jacket, his tyres marking a determined path to his next rendezvous. That was his uniform as he navigated through the social and educational establishments of the town, leaving behind him memories of broken hearts and creating lifelong friendships that have endured the test of time. That´s how he lived as a loyal and yet very private man, brother, and friend.

Born at the beginning of the 60s in South Africa, the second son of Helena and Lenox only 12 months and 2 weeks after his older brother Hilton, he learned to define his own path in life, and yes he did. His compassion, team spirit, and loyalty were forged early on with his brilliance at school, through his sport, and he tried them all, however, rugby was his passion. King Edwards VII in Johannesburg provided him with the base of competitive spirit and a determination to win, as the school motto Strenue says "to briskly, quickly, actively" attests. During these early years, he developed some lifelong friendships, and when he was 16 the political situation resulted in a hasty exit from the country, given his father´s anti-apartheid stance, where Greg got his moral compass. On arrival in Warnford, England, Greg started playing rugby for Alton Colts in Hampshire which enjoyed an unbeaten record, winning the championship and had a reputation as cup fighters. He was often seen as a determined and talented flanker supporting his best friend and wingman Dr. Richard Manning who played at scrum-half, both on and off the pitch as they navigated their youth around the county in a white Triumph Herald convertible.

His years in Oxford were youthful and exuberant, where academia was a necessity, and forging friendships was his forte. Tatler magazine captured him leaping off a bridge in Oxford on May morning, umbrella in one hand and an exuberant acolyte in the other. Following his time in Oxford, he departed with his lifelong friend Lawrence on an epic tour of Europe in a Renault 5, traveling east all the way to Greece, Isreal, and south to the Iberian peninsular. Many cities and many memorable experiences, too many to recount however Greg had the ability to hold an audience, especially when recalling his scrapes and japes. He lived for a time in Cyprus with his parents and that´s when he hit his stride, where friendships were with precision and charm focused on his well-known love for beautiful women. Throughout his life, he built long-term friendships with strong and powerful women, too many to mention!

He returned to the new South Africa and his support for the rainbow nation peaked when he was at Ellis Park where he witnessed South Africa win the Rugby World Cup in 1995. He built a successful construction business and in Cape Town having narrowly escaped a shoot-out and robbery at one of his sites in Hout Bay he decided to join his sister Jaki in Wellington New Zealand to run, the family call center business TaRP which included major telecoms companies and a local private airline. His professional career is well remembered by those that worked with him. His dedication and ability to develop and execute strategies for business growth, retention, team development, and operational excellence is well remembered, by colleagues at CX Solutions, Southern Cross, Tower Insurance, NIB New Zealand, and Gallagher Bassett.

His love of rugby never diminished and was always torn between supporting the All Blacks versus its epic encounters with the Springboks. His knowledge of the game, held his audience as he could recount all the key elements of every game in detail, with a unique perspective.

Greg was always unconventional, which included getting married in Vladivostok to the amazonian Natalia, where his brother was his best man. His love for his family was boundless and following the early loss of his father Lenox, he became a supporting and influential son to his mother Helena and uncle to his nieces Emma and Karla. He was the silent core of his family and always available for support and guidance. Greg was a perfectionist and believed that if you do something, do it well, or not at all.

Greg had a wicked sense of humour and we all can recall long conversations with him in person and over the phone. It was not unusual that he would be up late into the night communicating with friends all over the world especially his blind aunt Pauline and her brave blind dog where the topic centered on sport, which she was an enthusiastic expert. His bravery and determination were epic, and especially with his decade-long fight with cancer, that as a private man he never shared widely. His love of rugby and dedication and commitment to the team had an impact on him physically, and he nursed the effects very privately, even though years of head injuries eventually would have their toll.

As his mother Helena said "he entered the world as fast as he exited" at full throttle when his warm heart failed him.

He will be sorely missed by family and friends and we should all celebrate a life well lived and well-loved for his 59 years around the sun.

These bring back fantastic memories

I will never forget uncle Greg, from him spaghetti bolognaise to his drum sticks he will forever be in everyone´s hearts.

I found some photos in Greg's house, and have chosen a few to illustrate his wonderfully full life. Greg, in latter years, was camera shy and I was unable to find any photos of his niece Karla with him.

I keep finding photos of Greg that make me smile

My heart shattered to find out about Greg's passing, we kept in contact over the years and tried to get in contact with him for a while as we a day apart in birthdays and both hitting the big one, my condolences to Jacqueline and family he will be missed

Greg received many messages on his LinkedIn profile and am proud to share these condolences.

I worked with Greg at Tower. There are no words at a time like this. My heart goes out to you and yours Toni D

Very sad to hear this news, Greg was a really nice guy to work with. Peter W

Very sad to hear of Greg's passing Privileged to work with Greg at Tower. He was always a true professional, positive, very supportive of his colleagues and had a wonderful smile. God bless Steve B

My sincere condolences. Greg was my manager at Control Instruments in Johannesburg and gave me my first promotion and brought my personal and professional life back on track: Steve F

I worked with Greg closely and he was a great friend and mentor. My heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time Aniruddha M

I am so sad to hear this news. Greg started at Southern Cross not long after me and I consider him a true insurance professional. I hope you take joy from a wealth of good memories Ali W

I am very sorry to hear about Greg's passing. He was a very sincere guy who worked hard. My condolences for your loss Greg A

Very sad indeed to hear of Greg's passing, he was indeed so passionate and enthusiastic in his work, condolences to the family Perter H
I am absolutely devastated to hear of Greg's passing. We worked together at Tower and became really good friends. He would often join me for a drink in St Heliers when he lived in Mission Bay. We lost touch a couple of years ago and strangely enough, must have thought about him a week before he departed the earth. I looked him up on my FB, but he was gone. A fabulous fun guy. We shared a lot of laughs. Condolences to you and your mum Michell N

So very sorry to hear of Greg's passing. Had many laughs with him at Tower a truly wonderful person. Nicola C

Thanks for letting us know Jacqueline. Greg was always passionate about his clients and committed to those who relied on him. He'll be missed Rob H

It's taken me a while to write on here just because the thought of you not living your best charming smart Greg life somewhere happy just hurts. You were my 1st love, a year we were together & even though it didn't last a piece of my heart always remained with you & always will. Not a day has past since I heard the news that I've not had a happy memory of us. How ironic it is that your huge loving heart it was that failed. 3 Greg - a part of me will always 3. ❤

Greg was a great workmate with a generous smile. Willing and able to help in any situation. We had some fun times at Tower Insurance. He is missed.

Greg was an awesome colleague whose sense of humour was matched by his infectious smile. RIP Greg.

I am so sad to hear that my ex-colleague and friend has passed away.

I will miss our regular chat and laugh Greg Supra thank you for always making me laugh

I will alway forever remember our good laugh for 20 years never a dull moment except today. Goodbye my dear friend x

Rest and Peace lovely x

Greg , gone but not forgotten
Great memories discussing various hand positions to do whilst doing push ups
RIP

I have just looked through all the photos.. they are amazing I met Hilton and Greg at 16 years old in Oxford. They “adopted “ me and kept me safe. Greg you shone diamonds into life. I still chuckle to myself how cheeky you were. There is another bright twinkly star in heaven and I bet a bloomin good party too

Dearest Greg, hello, this is me!! We were always so close even though we knocked heads often. "Lele" was our special bond. Anything you put your mind to became a success and I loved your smile, dry sense of humour and your OCD about your cars, house and your appearance. I did not know that I could grieve so deeply but I have the most awesome memories and you will always be my favourite "boet". Goodbye, my dear Greg, where ever you are, keep smiling and I know you are at peace.

To my dear friend Greg who passed away so unexpectedly, I was so fortunate to have reconnected with him this year and to have had the opportunity to reminisce about our childhood and our unforgettable travels through Europe and the Middle East in our early twenties, an experience which I will never forget.



We also talked about doing a road trip together and about his plans for retirement, which was for him to get a 'bach', beach house, on a beautiful beach in New Zealand. I was planning to go out and see him and spend time with him as soon as the borders were open, but now sadly this is all too late.



He is to be admired and respected for putting his Mum first and for the caring and looking after her, something which I made a point of telling him.



I will never forget Greg and will treasure all the great memories I had with him.



I hope he is smiling and finally found his peace.



Love Lawrence xx

To my wonderful brother Greg thank you for being the best friend and champion we will miss you and enjoyed your 59 years round the sun. You will always be there for all of us and your charm and commitment to everything in life will be missed by us all. Sleep well I love you forever.

Sincere condolences to all the Supra family. Greg will be missed by all who knew him as the charming kind and gentle person he was. I will personally remember him also for being a dedicated and loving son, uncle and brother. May he Rest In Peace. Best wishes Aviva, Gilad and Gidon Raisun

My condolences to the Supra family. May Greg Rest In Peace

A great and kind nephew. We spent several amazing times with Greg when he was living in Cape Town. He will be sorely missed.

In 1981 as a youth councilor in northern New Jersey, like his older brother the previous year, Greg had great rapport and respect from the boys in his charge as well as the other councilors.
Ever the welcoming smile, it was a pleasure to have known him.

A GREGarious and charming host. Gorgeous & welcoming whenever I visited with my friend, Greg's sister Jaki . Love and hugs to all of the family

Greg you were the most kind, loving, person. I am so greatful for being able to be around you and all the help/advise you have given me and Emma it has made me a better person. And I can't forget the smile you gave me, for that I will be thinking of you every time I smile. I wishI could thank you one more time for everything you have done. With so much love Alex xx

Greg was the most charming Man , he had a big heart and loved his family. He was a unique human being with a big love for wine and food and fine things in life. He was a great son, brother And uncle. He will be missed by so many lives he touched . I know he will be at peace with all the love he had in his life. All my love to his family and friends right now,he will be watching over you x

Greg was the most beautiful man, true gentleman & dearest friend. I loved him like a brother and our memories will remain etched in my ❤ Forever young we will be darling man x

A life lived to the fullest, with many experiences on the way, may you rest in peace

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.