NIEU-BETHESDA — Bruno Reolon is synonymous with Nieu-Bethesda.This flamboyantly colourful legend of a man turned 80 on December 29 and celebrated with friends and family under the famous willow tree in the garden of his beautiful home.
Born in the Women’s Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland in 1936, Bruno was schooled and went to the army there, leaving for South Africa at the tender age of 18, seeking adventure and new horizons. Bruno gleaned experience from many sources during his life became an expert hair-stylist, farmer, viticulturist, restaurateur and guesthouse owner.
Bruno moved to Nieu-Bethesda in 1993 with his late wife Josephine, and their children attended Union High. Bruno speaks of Bethesda as his dream place and threw is heart and soul into developing the property where he now lives.
The beautiful guesthouse, pizzeria and magnificent rose garden and orchard are testament to his positive take on life and determination to work hard and passionately in all that he does. In his lifetime Bruno has survived being lost in the Kuiseb Canyon in Namibia, ingesting poison and nearly shooting his toes off! Bruno retells these stories with hilarious enthusiasm and is a privilege to listen to the adventures this raconteur.
On December 29, loved ones gathered under the canopy of his lush and verdant willow tree to celebrate the life of this enthusiast. Family flew in from as far as Switzerland to pay tribute to Bruno’s life. Dominee Charl du Toit spoke of his commitment to his faith and gifted Bruno with one of his favourite violin pieces.
His church family from the New Apostolic Church paid homage to him in harmonic song and catered for the event. Surrounded by the fruits of his labour, and by those who love and respect him, Bruno entered the next phase of his colourful life with the joy, passion and enthusiasm that has become the mark of this man.
'We bring you the latest Karoo news'
