Celebrated former Booysen Park principal mourned
INSTEAD of celebrating the 62nd birthday of former Booysen Park Senior Secondary School principal Elroy Bosman yesterday, his family were coming to terms with his death from cancer.
The Herald GM Citizen of the Year 2012 finalist, who was lauded for increasing the pass rate of his school from 42.8% to 85.4% in one year, died at St George’s hospital on Sunday after a short illness.
Messages of condolence replaced birthday messages on what was a difficult day for his friends and family, including wife of 35 years Antoinette, daughter Roshni, 28, son Branson, 32, daughter-inlaw Lucille and grandson Callum Bosman.
His wife said his condition had deteriorated quickly but the family were fortunate to spend time with him on Friday to say their goodbyes.
“We are saddened by his passing, but I have made peace with it as it was very difficult to see him suffer,” she said
Former Uitenhage High principal Timothy Heynes, who was a long-time friend and colleague, said Bosman’s death was a huge blow and a loss to the education system.
“He was a remarkable man, very hardworking and organised,” he said, recalling how Bosman had planned to turn Booysen Park Senior Secondary School around. “If he set out to do something, he would make sure it was done.” Heynes and Bosman matriculated from Uitenhage High School in 1971, went on to study at the University of Western Cape together and later started teaching together at Uitenhage High before both became principals.
“We always stayed in touch and compared strategies on how we would implement things at our schools.”
Booysen Park principal, Ivan Martins, said Bosman had an effect on everyone from pupils to teachers during the eight years he led the school.
“He was more than a teacher. He was a father figure who will be sorely missed,” Martins said.
The family are grateful to Bosman’s doctor, Rod Eutters, and the staff of the Cedar ward at St George’s for their care and support.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, with arrangements to be announced.