Benoni’s Tellyman remembered
If you grew up in Benoni and your family owned a television set, there is a chance that when it stopped working, you called the Tellyman.
“He was diagnosed shortly after selling the business and I nursed him over the last two years,” smiled his partner of 30 years, Kelly Castleman.
The couple met in 1986 and have been together since, raising their four children together.
He moved to South Africa in 1975, just before the SABC aired its first broadcast in 1976, after he obtained a qualification to service and repair television sets from City & Guilds.
“He saw a gap in the market with the arrival of the TV in South Africa and moved to the country from Liverpool.
“He worked briefly at Benoni Car Radio and started his business in 1985,” said Castleman.
Benonians will probably remember him for his generosity and kind heart.
He was known to never turn away a customer and would, by all means, ensure that their television set would be in mint condition after being repaired or serviced.
“He would help out the residents at Rynpark with their TVs as well as the local schools,” she added.
She spoke of his love for his family, his garden and soccer.
“He must have been Benoni’s biggest Liverpool supporter,” she said.
His memorial ceremony was held on April 2, at the Northfield Methodist Church chapel.
He is survived by his partner, Kelly, and their four children, Bradley Castleman (37), Jason Castleman (35), Gary Rimmer (35) and Tamara Rimmer, as well as seven grandchildren.
