Resident reaches 100-year milestone

Sascha-Lee Solomons

Local resident Mr Ronald Gale reached his 100th birthday milestone.

Mr Gale, better known as Ron, celebrated his birthday with friends and family on September 10 at the Arbor Village in Bedfordview.

He migrated to South Africa with his family many years ago.

Mr Gale retired and stayed in Ridgeview, before later moving to Arbor Village.

“Ron is very special to me. When he lived in Ridgeview, I was working there at the time and he was always a very quiet man. I left to work at Arbor Village and to my surprise he moved here and I was excited to meet up with him again,” said Arbor Village manager, Ms Lynda Erasmus.

She said Arbor Village is involved in outreach programmes and on Mandela Day they visited a nursery school called Belly Delly.

“The home gave Mr Dale a gift to donate to any charity of his choice. Ron loves children and he immediately asked for the donation to go to Belly Delly,” she said.

Ms Gloria, along with her pupils from the nursery school, joined Mr Gale on his birthday and wished him happy birthday with songs after they received the donation.

Mr Gale has three sons who are scattered around the world with seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

“My dad is healthy for his age and has managed to reach this milestone because he has a positive outlook on life,” said his son, Mr Paul Gale.

He said although his brothers could not be there, they are happy to have their dad see 100 years.

Mr Gale, on his birthday, said that he couldn’t believe how time has gone by so quickly.