Travy Brick celebrates a century of smiles and stories
Brick’s life has been marked by community involvement, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to his loved ones.
There was much laughter, storytelling, and heartfelt reflection on Monday, April 28, as Travy Brick, a beloved resident of Harveston Retirement Village, marked his 100th birthday.
Surrounded by friends, family, and fellow residents, Travy, who still walks unaided and occasionally drives, is the first person in the history of Harveston to reach a century in age. His sharp mind, love for debate, and devotion to his family have made him a cherished figure in the community.
Harveston’s chairman of the social committee Ian van Aswegen opened the celebration with humour and warmth.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of this remarkable milestone,” Ian said, before welcoming guests from near and far – including family members from the UK, New Zealand, and across South Africa.
Ian recalled his earlier conversation with Travy, who at first resisted the idea of a celebration.
“Travy said he didn’t want any fuss,” he said with a grin, “but I told him I wasn’t asking – I was telling.”
Travy eventually agreed, jokingly setting two conditions: That the party be held at the Johannesburg City Hall and that Glenn Miller and his band perform.
“Sadly, City Hall wasn’t available and Glenn Miller’s entire band is long gone,” Ian laughed.
One of the most touching moments of the afternoon came when Michelle Panos, a close family friend, delivered a moving tribute written by Travy’s daughter, Tracy James. Tracy, who had celebrated with her father earlier this year at Wynford Farm in the Maluti Mountains of the Eastern Free State, could not return from abroad for the second celebration.
“Dad, you’ve given us a legacy of curiosity, courage, generosity, joy, and respect for all humans and animals,” she wrote.
In her speech, she reflected on Travy’s long career in engineering, his love for spirited debates, his devotion to family, and his endless curiosity, especially when it came to adapting to new technology. Her words painted a picture of a man who not only embraced change but tackled it head-on, even learning to bake bread during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Another highlight of the day came during a speech by Travy’s son, Darryl. He opened with a reference to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs – a fitting tribute to the kind of father Travy had been.
“Dad gave us food, water, shelter – the most basic human needs you could ask for,” Darryl said. “And we received them in spades.”
Moving through the layers of the pyramid, Darryl described the safety and emotional security Travy provided, along with the health, financial support and deep sense of social belonging.
Travy was remembered as a dedicated supporter of school sports, a lover of Shakespeare and war history, and a father who helped with science and maths homework long after his school days ended. His children and grandchildren – Greg, Lara, Travy Rose, Sebastian, and Jasper – have carried his stories, lessons, and energy across the globe.
Chairperson of the retirement village Graham Elliotte later presented Travy with a handcrafted wooden clock, made by local artisan Mike Swart.
“Like Travy, this is a one-of-a-kind,” said Graham.
“A hundred years equals 10 decades, 36 500 days, or 8760 00 hours, it’s an incredible feat.”
Travy was born in a time of telegrams and typewriters, in a year when Afrikaans replaced Dutch as South Africa’s second official language. Movies like Phantom of the Opera and Ben-Hur were showing in cinemas, and songs such as Yes Sir, That’s My Baby topped the charts. He shares his birth year with historical figures like Margaret Thatcher and Johnny Carson.
When asked about the secret to his longevity, Travy replied with characteristic wit, “Clean living – and being married for 65 years.”
His beloved wife, Pat, sat beside her husband as the celebration went on, and they kept looking at their best memories in life captured on camera.
“Did she ever consider divorce?” Ian asked her. “Never,” she said. “But murder – many times!”
As the afternoon concluded with a champagne toast and the cutting of the cake, thanks were also extended to the Harveston Management Committee for financing the celebration, to Willy for preparing the lunch, to Wendy for saying grace, to Irene for baking the celebratory cake and to everyone present.
“Everyone here is invited to Travy’s 110th,” said Ian in closing.
