Roger Kelland dies
ROGER KELLAND of Maritime Carrier Shipping died on February 22 at the age of 53 after a 10-month battle with cancer.
Affable, easy-going and gregarious, Roger was one of the industry's nice guys.
Born in London, he completed his naval training at Dartmouth and retired honourably from the Royal Navy.
He subsequently emigrated to South Africa where his love of the sea led him to a career in shipping.
Roger became known to FTW during his time at Taurus Shipping, a relationship which continued when he joined MACS some eight years ago. He was the first person appointed by MACS m.d. Felix Scheder-Bieschin on his arrival in this country, and as Felix commented: Roger seemed to know everyone.
He loved challenges and approached every task with determination and resolve.
This spilled over into every facet of his life which he embraced with gusto, never allowing anything to get him down.
My last memory of Roger was at last year's MACS Christmas party where, despite the ravages of his illness, he greeted every guest with the usual smile and friendly anecdote.
His many talents were not always well known. One of these was his double bass voice which he put to good use in the Johannesburg Welsh Male Choir
A close friend, told FTW that when diagnosed with cancer in May of last year, he simply said: I thought I would die with me boots on. Doesn't look like that will be. And to think that my father will outlive me. Bloody hell!!
This was typical of the down-to-earth, unpretentious, Roger whom we all remember.
The industry has lost a talented and respected colleague and friend.
He leaves his wife Pat and sons Jason and Adam
.JOY ORLEK
