GUSTAV ARTHUR ERNST HEINZE – 18 FEBRUARY 1934 TO 16 JANUARY 2016 Sunnyside House mid 1946 to end 1951. It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that I write to inform you of the death of my brother Gus in the early hours of Saturday the 16th January 2016, a month short of his 82nd birthday and 6 weeks short of his 60th Wedding Anniversary and 65 years after meeting his wife Yvonne.
Over the last few years he had been plagued with cancer and Alzheimer’s and during the last few months he had been having considerable pain in his hips and other areas and was, at the time of his passing, seriously considering hip replacement surgery. This was not to be and he was admitted to the ICU at the Olivedale Hospital in Randburg on Friday the 15th Jan. The Medical staff informed the family that the bone cancer had spread throughout his body and that the time remaining was very limited. He passed away peacefully early on Saturday morning.
Gus came to Boys High in the middle of 1946, our father having moved from the Reef to Pretoria at that time. In 1947 he took part in the first of his appearances as the Soprano female lead in the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas presented by the School. He sang these parts annually until and including the presentation in 1950. To the best of my knowledge this period of 4 years constitutes among the longest number of successive performances by a boy Soprano in the history of the School. The performances were in ‘Iolanthe’, ‘Ruddigore’, ‘Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Patience’ but not necessarily in this order. His voice subsequently broke to a melodious Bass and in later years, after leaving School, he continued his love of singing by participating in various Church Choirs as he moved around the country.
During his time at Boys High, Gus also started playing Side Drum in the Cadet Bugle Band. He rose through the Ranks and took over the task of Leading Drummer and then eventually he was made Drum Major. A position of which he was naturally extremely proud. He continued to play Drums after School while doing his Military training in the 1st Pretoria Regiment, “Princess Alice’s Own”. He loved Military Music as encompassed by these positions and while “sitting still”, his hands were known to never be still. Drumming on and on.
He met his wife, Yvonne, towards the end of March 1951 while still at School and they were married 5 years later on the 10th March 1956. To say that they were “Smitten” would not be a strong enough description. Together, and over many years, they rode a Tandem racing Cycle (Home built), a 1947 500cc Matchless motorcycle, a Royal Enfield 500cc twin and also a Vintage motorcycle combination. Together they attended several motorcycle gatherings countrywide. Gus was also an avid participant in the Memorial revival of the Durban – Johannesburg Race (1913/1936), now known worldwide as the “DJ”. He took part in this annual event 23 times, most of them on his Trusty 1927 350cc Sunbeam which he restored himself. During this period he won the “Broker’s Trophy” which was awarded for the Best Performance by a 350cc Vintage Motorcycle, a total of 4 times. That motorcycle is still in the family. The two of them also owned a 1600cc MGA Tourer, circa 1959, which is also still in the family at this time and which was present at his Memorial Service on the 21 st January when his family and friends gathered to say goodbye.
Motoring, including Caravanning, was in their blood and many holidays, regattas and family times were spent in this manner. He owned many cars and various other motorcycles and loved each one of them. Gus had many interests and was Commodore of the Pretoria Sailing Club for several years during which period he was part of its initial formation and of its move from the Bon Accord to Pienaar’s river Dam. He used to build his own sailing Dinghies and so as not to be away from Yvonne, these were usually built in the Lounge of their home!
After leaving School, Gus joined Standard Bank and was with them for several years before changing to a sales career and joining Old Mutual as a representative. After a few years he became a District Manager and again several years later changed to a Training position which he held until his retirement from Old Mutual in the early 1990’s.
Gus and Yvonne had four children, Craig who passed away tragically at a very early age, Shaun, Colette and Ian. His wife Yvonne and their three children have survived
Gus who is kept very high in their memories and who is greatly missed. Gone but NOT forgotten. R.I.P. Gus!
Ray Heinze 1952/1954