Local legend Jono loses his battle with cancer
Friends pay tribute to Jono Shepherd who has been described as having a larger than life personality.
FORMER owner of Cottonfields and uMhlanga stalwart, Jono Shepherd has died. According to reports the businessman died peacefully on Thursday (31 July) after a five year battle with cancer. A Facebook page ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone Jono’ was started shortly after his passing in his honour and because of his love for English football club Liverpool.
Friends have paid tribute to the ‘entrepreneur extraordinaire’ who started the iconic restaurant/pub and even hosted his own cooking show on East Coast Radio.
“He was a legend. He was a fantastic man and I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was always optimistic he would beat cancer and it’s a sad day for the uMhlanga and Durban North community,” Peter Rose, he chairman of uMhlanga Tourism said.
Former uMhlanga councillor Rory Macpherson described Jono as a ‘larger than life’ personality.
“Jono wore his heart on his sleeve. He loved assisting the voluntary life savers whenever called on. He assisted me when setting up the security presence on the Village Green and with other community related matters, ran a very successful business and somehow fitted in his family in between.
“Never once did he ask are expect recognition or appreciation and its always ironic that we salute Community Hero’s after they die rather then when they are alive and can appreciate it. Jono was just that, a community hero and will be sorely missed. I have no doubts that I speak on behalf of the community at large when saying that we will keep his family in our prayers during this ever so difficult period,” Macpherson said.
The celebration of Jono’s life will be held on Wednesday, 6 August at 11am at Grace Church, uMhlanga. A Wake will follow at Hooters in Umhlanga.
