Henrico Viljoen, a beloved salesman at Raceview Motors, passed away from cancer on April 18.
He was diagnosed with bladder and stomach cancer and died within two weeks of being diagnosed.
His sudden death shocked everyone who knew him.
He was also known for his singing. Henrico enjoyed singing old songs by Neil Diamond, Elton John, and Kenny Rogers and he had written 15 songs and wanted to write more.
Lived his life to the fullest
Henrico was born and bred in Alberton and has been living in his childhood house in South Crest for the last 42 years.
He had the privilege to be able to live in the same house where he grew up and where most of his favourite memories have been made.
After matriculating at Hoërskool Alberton, he enrolled in the national service.
He then started working as a salesman and the rest is history.
During an interview with the newspaper in 2022 he said: “I enjoy seeing others happy and sometimes that it is when people buy things which make them happy.”
Many would remember him as the salesman from Raceview Motors and others would remember him as the man with the talented voice.
“The hit songs he loved to sing were Jessica, Say you, Say me and Sweet Caroline,” said his friend and colleague Nicole Dahn.
Gone but not forgotten
According to Nicole, he was a flamboyant, unapologetically honest person who loved people.
“He always made people feel special and helped where he could. He had a temper and was known for being a drama queen but cared about people,” she said.
“We always said he was the Alberton Record because he couldn’t keep a secret and he always knew everything about everyone,” she said laughingly.
He leaves behind his mother, his father, cousins and loads of friends who were like family to him.
A memorial service was held for him on April 26 at the Alberton Methodist Church.
