Geoffrey Ridyard dies at age 79
A chemist by profession, Geoff initially worked in mining and then the water purification industry before running his own swimming pool servicing company
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Long-time Benoni resident Geoffrey Ridyard died at his family home in Northmead recently.
Born in England in 1941, Geoff came to South Africa with his wife, Vivienne, and his three little girls in 1974, initially on a three-year work contract.
The family settled in Benoni and then stayed rather longer than expected, making it their home, making lifelong friends and making themselves part of the community.
A quiet life was never for Geoff though: many will remember him firstly as “Columbo”, the nickname given to him by local teenagers attending the famous Scout hall disco back in the ’80s where, as a member of the police reserve, he provided security, usually chomping on a cigar, alongside his police partner Dave Firman (“Kojak”).
A chemist by profession, Geoff initially worked in mining and then the water purification industry before running his own swimming pool servicing company for many years, helping establish other people in the same line – one friend recalled how Geoff had “saved his sanity” through his support.
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Civic-minded by nature, Geoff had been a town councillor in the UK and was inevitably drawn to numerous causes in Benoni, from politics – he was an official observer at the 1994 elections – to environmental issues, taking an active role in groups, including the Ward 27 committee, Benoni CPF, Weltevreden Waste Disposal Facility and the Wildlife Society.
He was a prodigious blood donor, giving upwards of 350 units over the course of his life.
Geoff thrived on fighting for what he believed was right, earning a reputation as being equally big-hearted and hard-headed, as well as being nifty with his ever-present penknife.
“A character” and “larger than life” are labels Geoff comfortably owned, but he had a playful side too, enjoying Harry Potter, Star Wars, computer games and sudoku.
Renowned for his generosity, Geoff’s home-grown vegetables were shared with everyone, his multi-course breakfasts were legendary, he snuck treats to generations of children, and nobody ever had an empty mug of tea or glass of wine in his company.
He loved adventure, cycle-touring in Europe in his youth, wild camping across southern Africa with his family, and in his later years going on every single ride at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
Several work accidents ultimately impacted Geoff’s mobility, but in retirement he soldiered on, going to gym – even getting on the treadmill with his walking stick – and continuing to embrace varied interests.
He was central to his quiz team and an avid bridge player, while most recently he took up the gentle sport of croquet, albeit with his usual competitive gusto.
Geoff is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vivienne, daughters Jacquie, Jennie and Lucy, sons-in-law Kevin and John, and grandchildren Cameron, Alistair, Dylan, Ethan and Ronan.
(Words: Geoff Ridyard’s daughter, Jennie Ridyard).
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