Hail-fellow, well-met, in a genuine way - Obituary: Denis Manning – Kronies Footwear, Trenzado Footwear (29/03/1954-18/03/2025)

Denis and Jane in 1987.

Sadly, Denis Manning passed away on Tuesday, 18 March after a battle with cancer, 11 days before his 71st birthday.

Denis arrived in South Africa with his wife, Jane, in March 1976 and settled in Pinetown. He joined Kronies as a trainee factory manager and worked there for many years, firstly with Hans Krohn and Doug Roberts and then with Bryan Dean and Malcom Walton.

He and Malcolm then joined forces with Naren Pattundeen and set up Trenzado Footwear in Isipingo. After his time at Trenzado he started a pool bar in Pinetown.

Denis loved socialising and Chalkies Pool Bar was just up his street.

Denis with his daughter, Jenna, on his 70th birthday.

Denis and Jane have two daughters, Jenna and Kate, and decided to move back to the UK in 1998. 4 years ago, he became the caretaker for the village that he lived in. Despite being diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago he continued to look after the village and only stopped working 6 months ago.

I have very fond memories of Denis; I found him to be a fun-loving guy who was very positive and made friends with most who crossed his path.

A genuine guy.

RIP Denis.

Denis at Leicester City Football stadium with his grandson 2023. He supported this team for most of his life.

Snorkelling along the South Coast. He had an active lifestyle, and ran 5 Comrades’ Marathons.

Jane Manning

Denis was born in Chingford, North London, the oldest of 10 children.

He moved up to Syston in Leicestershire when he was 12 years old. His father was a bank manager and Denis followed in his footsteps and joined the Midland Bank as a junior bank clerk working in their regional office in Leicester in the Wills and Trusts department.

At the age of 21 he married and emigrated to South Africa. We settled in Pinetown and Denis started work as a trainee manager at Kronies Footwear.

After 20 years in the SA trade he opened a pool bar in Pinetown called Chalkies. In 1998 the family moved back to the UK and settled in Lincoln where Denis worked for various courier companies. 4 years ago, not ready to retire, he worked for his local parish council as caretaker to the village, looking after the village hall and recreational spaces around the village. He always enjoyed the outdoors and was very happy walking round the village and keeping things neat and tidy. He only gave up his job last July when the cancer treatment made him tired but still enjoyed time with his family, visits to the local pub and trips to Leicester to support his beloved football club.