Local aviation fanatic and Rynfield resident of more than 50 years Bert Denman turned 100 last year and wasn’t able to celebrate his centenary due to Covid-19.
This year, Bert turned 101 and not only had a family-orientated birthday party filled with love and laughter, but he also received his letter from the Queen of England for turning 100, which he waited patiently for but was delayed in the post due to the pandemic.
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“I have been truly blessed with wonderful family and friends in my 101 walk through life and I thank the Lord for this,” said Bert.
According to Bert’s wife, Ann, the 101 party was awesome.
“It was held at the house of Bert’s granddaughter,” she said.
“They did all the catering and all the decorations and it was so beautifully done. It was everything Bert would ever have wanted.”
This father of three, grandfather of 16, great grandfather of 27 and great, great grandfather of seven feels incredibly honoured to be able to witness his entire family grow up.
“There were a lot of family members present at my party,” he said.
“Friends and family we haven’t seen in a while.”
“It was good for all of us to get together.
“There were a lot of memories and laughter,” added Ann.
“All in all, it was a happy time and the weather behaved itself, we had a lovely day.”
The food was all packaged as if you were on board in an aircraft, which added individuality to the party, as Bert not only spent his life working in aviation, but he also started building model aeroplanes from the age of 14 with his father, which he was featured in the City Times for in 2019.
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To this day, Bert still builds model aeroplanes, and upon our most recent visit, Bert said he is looking forward to flying the Tiger Moth, which he said he was hoping to fly on his 99th birthday in 2019, but due to the pandemic he was not able to fly the model until this year.
“I completed the Tiger Moth in five to six months,” said Bert.
“This year will be the first time I fly the model and I am very much looking forward to it. I just hope the pandemic doesn’t stop me from taking it out, again.”
Ann said Bert gave a beautiful speech after his birthday party and as he finished, a big jet flew overhead, which impressed Bert very much.
“I had a great time and I think a great time was had by all,” said Bert.
“Happy birthday Benoni City Times for September. I am only one year older than you and I wish you another fantastic 100 years at least. It’s scary to think that I would have read the first-ever Benoni City Times newspaper.”
