He would stand on the street, cigarette in hand, and greet everyone who came past.
Verdi da Silva was one of the pillars of the old Umhlali village and after just over 30 years on the Dolphin Coast, he bid the world farewell last Wednesday evening in the comfort of his Salt Rock home.
He leaves behind his wife Leanna and their son Jonty (26).
He was born in Bedfordview, Johannesburg in 1943 and grew up on the family farm. He came to Durban in his 20’s and bought a bottle store in North Coast road – a very busy bottle store that ordered six trucks of beer a day from SA Breweries.
His first marriage ended in divorce, but left him with two loving children – Angelique and Paolo – who both live overseas.
He moved further north and together with his brother, bought the former Umhlali Hotel property. This is where he met his dynamic wife from New Zealand, Leanna.
“I worked in the hotel and Verdi came in every morning for his bacon and egg sandwich,” said Leanna, who later worked in his bottle store next door to the hotel.
Together, they also ran the legendary Leanna’s Fine Art for All shop which they recently closed and sold after 20 years.
“Everyone loved Verdi. He loved his golf, a good party and he really enjoyed the company of all his mates. He religiously went to the Karibu pub every day at 4pm. We nicknamed the pub “The University” because when he came home, he knew everything. He was even known as ‘The Professor’ for a while,” said Leanna.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been so helpful to Verdi and to me over the years. The support of the community has just been amazingly humbling,”
The funeral will be held at the All Saints Catholic church on Townsend Road at 11am today.
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