Grassy Park resident Reverend Christian Reddy died at the age of 93 on Tuesday September 18.
He was born on March 3 1925 in Grassy Park and he was the eldest son of Christie and Maria Reddy. He had two siblings, a brother Chinian (John) and a sister Lutchimah who are both deceased.
Southern Mail spoke to his son Christopher. He said his father was brought up in a mixed religion family. “My grandfather was Hindu and grandmother was Christian and he was brought up as a Christian.”
Christopher said his father would be remembered in three domains: education, church and sport.
He said his father didn’t have to teach them about how to behave, because he led by example.
“Reverend Reddy’s life had been inextricably linked to the Good Shepherd Church in Grassy Park since an early age. He credited his mother as being the one who ensured his sound Christian upbringing in their home and indicated that Raymond Kannemeyer was a strong role model at EC Primary, schooling his capacity as catechist and school principal.
“He served on a number of parochial and diocesan committees. In the early years he served on the board of trustees of the Diocese and also represented the Diocese at two provincial synods.”
Reverend Reddy started teaching at EC Primary School from 1931 to 1937 where he later served as principal.
His teaching career spanned 40 years from Central Public School, EC Primary and Plantation Primary and he retired in 1985.
However, he did not sit still as he dedicated his time fully to the church.
At Good Shepherd Grassy Park he served as the superintendent of the Sunday school (1947 to 1971), secretary of the church council and was the editor of the church magazine, the Crusader from 1949 to 1992.
He was the founder member and life president of Crusaders AFC (1944) and also Crusaders sports club (many codes of sport) in 1956. These clubs provided opportunities for many children and adults to play sport competitively.
He was also founder member and assistant scoutmaster of the First Plumstead scout troop (1944).
He served for 10 years on the advisory board of the School of Industry in Ottery – a reformatory for at risk youth.
Christopher said before his father obtained a doctorate in education, he was respected in the community as an educator and he was very popular. People would invite him to functions to make speeches. “He was affable and witty and he could speak to young and old.”
He wasn’t computer savvy and used to write out his speeches and kept them in files.
“My father even filed all his sermons and recorded everything meticulously.”
Christopher said his mother was a midwife and supported her husband in his work. She died 17 years ago.
Reverend Reddy had four children – three daughters, Devine Fisher, Elain Reddy and Jennifer Gravenorst, and son Christopher. He also had six grandchildren and three great grand-children.
A friend Syd Williams wrote a piece dedicated to Reverend Reddy after his passing for the family. “Father Reddy was a great public servant throughout his life. He exercised great service in the local community of Grassy Park and everything he did was an expression of his dedication and commitment.
“Reverend Reddy was an icon of Grassy Park, full of humour and every able to hold his own, in any discussion,” said Mr Williams.
The funeral service will be held at Good Shepherd Church in Grassy Park, tomorrow, Thursday September 27, at 10am.