Richard Solomons who used to work at the Lion Match factory, and never smoked a cigarette in his life, celebrated his 90th birthday in Grassy Park, on Sunday November 13.
Married to Hester who bore nine children, two of whom have passed on, 17 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, Mr Solomons lived a “honest life and treated people with respect,” said his daughter Gloria Viljoen.
Twenty nine years ago Mr Solomons’ wife Hester died. Eight years later he married Doreen.
She said her father worked at the Lion Match factory before working for Golden Arrow Bus Services for 47 years up until his retirement.
Ms Viljoen said he never smoked a cigarette and never drank alcohol. He “lived his life for God and was also in the funeral business and in the music business.”
She said although her father was “a very, very strict dad, he was humble and has compassion, integrity and humility in this world we are living in”.
Ms Viljoen proudly said her father “was also a recognised music teacher at the University of Cape Town and that his photograph hangs in the music department as he was honoured for his music excellence which he offered to many top students”.
