Judging by the teary-eyed teachers and learners at the memorial, and the words of comfort from several colleagues, including from overseas, John Tessner crept deep into the hearts of many people.
The 36-year-old Westview School welding teacher and rugby coach, recently lost his life in a tragic car accident outside the KFC in Caledon Street, Kariega.
According to police information, Tessner, a Kariega resident, allegedly lost control of a Toyota Yaris and rolled the vehicle, hitting two pedestrians and two concrete poles before coming to a standstill at KFC’s doors.
Cesare di Basilio, a pedestrian, and Tessner, died at the scene.
Bennie Greeff, the other pedestrian, was injured during the accident and rushed to hospital.
The tragic accident shocked not only the community of Kariega, but also the school where Tessner had been teaching for six years, and which recently held a farewell where most of the staff referred to him as a person who tackled everything he did with the utmost passion.
Principal PC van Rooyen showed a picture of Tessner and himself taken during a teambuilding event, where he donned the brightest smile.
Pointing to the picture on the screen and the numerous candles placed strategically around a photo of Tessner on the stage, Van Rooyen said it is how he would like to remember his colleague.
“Candles provide light and they represent Mr Tessner’s light. His light will never go out at this school. This is so sad for me, because his future was still ahead of him, and his future was at this school. Let’s always remember that smile and let’s always remember that honesty that he displayed,” he said.
Hearing of Tessner’s tragic death, former colleague, Ferdi Gerber, sent a voice message from New Zealand to say goodbye to a dear friend.
“I love you, Johnno. I wish that I could tell you that one more time, face-to-face. I wish I could have greeted you, you were one of a kind my friend.
“Who did I ever know that had a bigger heart than you? I have never known someone that would so easily give up their time for someone else. I could phone you any time of the day or night and tell you that I needed you, and without fail you would drop everything for me. Selfish is something that you never were,” said Gerber.
An emotional learner, who had a special bond with Tessner, Anver Krotz, said that he had dreamt of his teacher on the morning of his death.
“We were supposed to go away with the rugby team. I wasn’t supposed to go alone; you weren’t supposed to leave me, but maybe that dream was your way of saying goodbye. I will always miss you,” the Year 3 learner said, before breaking down in tears.
Tessner’s mother, Jóshine du Preez, his sister, Colette Smith, and brother-in-law, Donavin Smith, also attended the memorial.
Speaking to PE Express after the ceremony, Du Preez described her son as a fun, energetic person who teased them lovingly.
“He was like a jumping bunny and brought so much joy and fun into our lives,” she said.
“He was very confident too,” added Smith.
Du Preez explained that on the morning of the accident, Tessner dropped his girlfriend off at work at approximately 05:45.
At about 07:00 his girlfriend said she didn’t feel well, and he was on his way back there to pick her up when the accident happened.
“Just after 08:00, she called me and said that John had not arrived yet and asked if I could pick her up.
“When she got into the car, she said how she had heard about a bad accident outside KFC.
“We decided that since it was on our way home, we might as well pass KFC to see what was going on there.
“I could see from afar that he was involved in the accident because I recognised my car. He was driving my car that morning,” said Du Preez.
She added that she remained in the car and did not go any closer to the scene.
“I did not want to. I stayed in the car because I wanted to remember my son as he was. Always happy and always smiling,” she said.
