DR CRAIG GARWYN ELIAS

04.02.1952 - 06.07.2026

It is with deep sadness that we inform ODs of the passing of Dr Garwyn Elias.

Garwyn was at Bishops from 1960 - 1970.  He was in Charlton then Gray.  He matriculated in the First Class, and was a Senior S/O in the Cadet Corps.  He earned fulll rugby colours in the year he did post-matric (1970).

At Prep he won the Chivalry Prize from Mrs Sheila Wolfe's Std 1 Class.

At College, he was the Senior prefect in 1970 and Head of Gray.

He qualified as a dentist in 1976, from the University of the Witwatersrand and proceeded to the UK to practise where he and his family lived.  

A close school friend Johnny Smuts (1968S), sent the following obit:

"I was informed on Monday 6 July, by a long-standing friend of Garwyn’s, “Crammy” Hamman. They had qualified as dentists together in the 70’s, and had remained life-long friends.

From a Bishops point-of-view, I knew Garwyn when we started at Bishops Prep together, in the old Std 1 classes of Sheila Wolfe and Ms McCarthy. When we moved to the College in 1966, he went into Gray House, while I went to Ogilvie for a year, then did my last 3 years in School House (Top House!). We both Matriculated in 1969. Garwyn stayed on to do Post Matric in 1970, and was HeadBoy + Head of Gray. In those days, PM’s could still have significant roles at the school. Garwyn continued to play Prop for the 1st XV.

Garwyn loved his time at Bishops and was an ardent OD. We always kept in touch, even though he was living and practising as a dentist in the smallish Lincolnshire town of Long Sutton. I have always been the main driver of our various reunions (25, 30, 40 & 50th), and Garwyn would always come out from the UK to attend. I always try to do an overseas trip every year (particularly with 3 of my 4 kids living overseas, and after Shirley’s passing nearly 11 years ago). Two years ago, I visited friends and family in the UK, including my younger brother Richard (1972O), and my 3rd son, Jonathan (2014O). Garwyn caught a train down from Long Sutton to London, and met up with myself and Eugene Uys (also a Top House 69’er) for a lunch in the revamped Kings Cross area. Later in my travels, I stayed with Garwyn and his wife, Judy, and he proudly took me around to various parts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, including Sandringham Palace.

Garwyn was “hale & hearty” then, so it came as a huge shock to me when I heard of his passing this past Monday. I immediately informed our fellow classmates, which resulted in the most responses I have ever received when notifying the class of other passings. I think that this confirmed his stature and the affection which he enjoyed from fellow 69’ers.

Crammy Hamman has sent me this brief history of his time of knowing Garwyn:

Garwyn Elias was a very dear friend and colleague for over 50 years.

We both qualified in 1976 and did National service together, serving in Simonstown as Dental Officers.

On completion of our service my wife and I left for London and Garwyn joined a well known Cape Town practice.

A year later he arrived in London and went onto London in Putney.

It was at this time that he met his wife Judy.

Nine years later Garwyn felt the need to get out of London and he and Judy located to Long Sutton, a small Market town in South Lincolnshire, where he continued to practice until 2018.

Garwyn was a competent and very caring Dentist who could have taken his skills anywhere.

I believe the folk of Long Sutton were indeed fortunate that he chose to practice where he did.

He is survived by his wife Judy, a daughter, son and two Grandchildren with a third one on the way."

The ODU and Bishops send their heartfelt condolences to Judy and the family.

RIP Garwyn Elias!

Requeiscat in Pace.

Details of the funeral service are enclosed.