99 and still independent

For many people, when they think of getting older and becoming a senior citizen they have images of being frail and sometimes even confined to a bed.

For Mr Richard Boas, an Eden Haven Retirement Home resident and former Bezuidenhout Valley resident who turned 99 on August 2, age does not hold back his outlook on life.

Mr Boas has been a resident at the retirement home for the past two years and lives independently in one of the flats that the retirement home offers residents.

“I like living at Eden Haven – it is nice here and there are nice people here,” said Mr Boas.

He said although his body has aged his memory is very good.

“It is fantastic to have a resident turning 99,” said Ms Jodi Sutton, the receptionist for Eden Haven. She said Mr Boas is independent and is able to look after himself.

Before moving to Eden Haven, Mr Boas was an Eastleigh resident for 23 years.

He said he stayed with his daughter and although his daughter worked full time, she did have a domestic helper but that he did not need a full time nurse to assist him.

“I cannot believe that I am this old. I have really gone through a lot,” said Mr Boas.

He told the NEWS at his birthday celebration at the retirement home that he still remembers his childhood very clearly.

Mr Boas grew up in Bezuidenhout Valley in Johannesburg East. He said that as a school child he played sport at school and kept healthy,

He used to compete in cricket, soccer, boxing and swimming.

Mr Boas, who was married to his wife for 52 years, told the NEWS that he and his wife got married in Troyeville.

While he was younger, Mr Boas said he worked as a stonemason and used to make tombstones and other stone products for a living.

He said that even though he was healthy for his age he can’t do certain things anymore.

“I cant hold a four pound hammer anymore,” said Mr Boas.