Cape Town car lovers are mourning the loss of Daryl Cootee aka Bal, a pillar of the petrolkop community, who passed away on Friday after a lifelong battle with diabetes.
As one of the founding members of Toyota enthusiasts Toylovers Society, Bal was well known while his vast collection of cars included a Pontiac Le Mans, Ford Cortina and a Toyota SR, which was known as his baby.
JP Petersen, a member of Toylovers, said he has known Daryl since joining the club four years ago and will miss the 46-year-old’s larger than life personality who always gave his all to his two daughters, Zoe and Keira.
“Bal was such a lekker bra, he could walk up to anybody and just start making jokes, whether he knew you or not,” says JP.
“He would always be willing to give to charities and help anybody who needed his assistance.”
Although Daryl lived in Kuils River, he grew up in Portlands, Mitchells Plain, and no matter where the club decided to meet, the beloved member was always the first one there.
“Along with being the life of the party, Bal was also always the first one there because he was extremely punctual.
“If you tell him to be in Portlands by 7.30 then he would be there by 7.15. His presence will also be missed in Goudini, where he would go camping without hesitation and was well known in that community through his charity work.
“The Toylovers will really miss him and share our condolences with his family.”
On the Toylovers Facebook page, a status was dedicated to the memory of Daryl, stating: “Soar with the angels, friend. Earth lost a legend but heaven gained a soul with a heart of gold. Rest softly sir.”