Industry mourns Paddy Vella
The travel
and tourism
industry
bids farewell
to, Paddy
Vella, ceo of
Springbok
Altas. Paddy
died on April
16 at the age of 66 after
being diagnosed with cancer
four years ago.
Paddy worked for Springbok
Atlas for 36 years where he
saw the business grow into a
large and well respected coach
charter and tour operator
organisation, operating
throughout SA and Namibia.
Craig Drysdale, former ceo
of the transport division at
Springbok Atlas, said the 2010
World Cup was a highlight in
Paddy’s career. “Paddy was
extremely instrumental in
securing the contract for the
transportation of all 32 soccer
teams as he was for the
14 teams for the World Cup
Cricket in 2003,” he said.
Paddy was the founding
member of Coach Operators
Association of Southern Africa,
which still runs under SA Bus
Operators Association.
Peter-John Mitrovich, ceo of
Grosvenor Tours, said: “Paddy
never made a rushed decision.
Decisions made were always
fair, objective and with the best
intent for all employees.”
Paddy, who lived in
Rondebosch with his wife,
Carol, is described by his son,
Chris, as a keen social golfer
and a supporter of Tottenham
Hotspur. “He always did
things in moderation, enjoyed
the odd glass of good wine,
braaiing, listening to music,
and just spending time with
friends and family,” he said.
Paddy’s funeral took place on
Friday, April 25, at St Michael's
Catholic Church in Cape Town.
