Chezlyn served the community with passion
Liezel Marters-Smith, Woodlands
Chezlyn Paul Petersen - or as we called him ‘’Uncle Chez” - was a remarkable man that everyone loved.
He was a true family man, who kept the community, his family and neighbours dear to his heart.
His name is associated with the passion he had for people especially young children, and the elderly.
Uncle Chez’s mission was to keep the youth busy with sport and to feed them and the elderly.
In 1997 he was among the founding members of the first soccer club in New Woodlands, catering for players from juniors to seniors.
Three years later he started a soup kitchen, feeding the children and his neighbours.
He and his family would always drop food parcels and clothing at the farms, in Paarl and surrounding areas.
Uncle Chez believed that no child should go to bed on an empty stomach.
He was a good chef and in his spare time, he and his wife would cater at birthday parties and weddings.
Everyone knew that if you were having a party, Uncle Chez was the man who needed to make the food, as it was always amazing.
Uncle Chez was a remarkable man who was always there for his community and family.
His love for the community and family was evident in the manner in which he carried himself. He was always willing and able to do any task set before him.
Uncle Chez had a heart of gold, which made him stand out from everyone else. He was a man driven by his heart.
Uncle Chez ministered to the community of Mount Hope Church, in Old Woodlands.
He was part of the team that fed the other side of his community.
He was an elder on the church council that prayed for the sick and all that he believed would be moved. We just needed to have faith as small as a mustard seed and we could conquer the world.
When Uncle Chez took ill, not even the sickness could keep him from fulfilling his helping hand to many.
He was a guardian angel who will be sorely missed.
He was a true soldier of the cross and stood his life full by doing God's works until the end.
Uncle Chez is survived by his wife Denise, their daughter Chanelle, son Keegan, their spouses and five grandchildren.
Fly high, Uncle Chez, as heaven has gained an amazing angel you will always be our guardian angel watching over us.
His funeral will be at Mount Hope Church, in Old Woodlands, at 9am, on Saturday August 20.