Soyaraj (Dees) Naidoo, owner of Palisades Auto Detail, passed away on July 22. The resident of West L.A. was 59. ‘The best way to describe the life and personality of Uncle Dees is: He lived today like there was going to be no tomorrow,’ said his nephew Haresh Oudraijh. ‘Better understood by Americans in the following terms: ‘Hollywood or Bust.” Born on September 6, 1944 in Durban, South Africa, to the late Munsami and Gnambala Naidoo, Dees attended Telwinsing School in South Africa. At the age of 21 he married the love of his life, Shanti. Together they had four children: Shamine, Marlon, Sandi and Ronald. Dees lived in Verulam, South Africa for most of his life and worked in the engineering field for several companies, including an international firm, Dorbyl Marine. He also managed several soccer teams. In 1988, he relocated to Johannesburg, where he owned a successful engineering company. He and Shanti were well known for opening their home to people who were destitute and had nowhere to go. In 1993, Dees immigrated to Los Angeles to be with his brothers, Vassie (the former owner of Palisades Bakery on La Cruz) and Jakes and their families. Two years later he became the proud owner of Palisades Auto Detail, located in the parking lot between Sunset and La Cruz and soon to be named after him. Dees captivated people with his wonderful smile and his famous ‘Hi Honey’ line at his detail shop, and will be fondly remembered for his humor and his devotion to his children. In addition to his wife and children, Dees is survived by his son-in-laws, Edward and Ivan; daughter-in laws, Mesh and Reshma; grandchildren Damian, Selisha, Shenise, Tyron, Allissa, Sasha, Taelon, Kailene and Carrie; brothers Bobby, Vassie, Jakes and Sunny; sisters Baba and Mummy; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Boya and sisters Shirley and Savathrie. Services and interment were held at Holy Cross Mortuary in Culver City.
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