Alex Johnson
Esmond Allcock celebrated his 108th birthday on January 26 in his home town of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. (Submitted by Jaime Frydenlund)
Esmond Allcock says that the secret to living 108 years is to choose the right spouse.
Allcock, of Kerrobert, Sask., Celebrated his 108th birthday on Friday. He is one of the oldest men in Canada.
"I did not behave for a few years there, but then I had a very good wife," he said, to the question of how he managed to live a long and happy life.
Oh, they almost drove me crazy. They probably took 100 pictures of me.
- Esmond Allcock
His wife Helen died seven years ago after 72 years of marriage. He lived alone in the family home for a short time and then decided to move to the Kerrobert Health Center.
Esmund and Helen Allcock. (Submitted by Jaime Frydenlund)
On Friday, employees at the center held a birthday party for the 108-year-old girl.
"Oh, they almost drove me crazy, they probably took 100 pictures of me," he laughs.
Mayor Wayne Mock also attended the party. He paid tribute to the self-proclaimed Blue Jays Super Baseball fan by declaring the Esmond Allcock Day on January 26th.
Holidays at a distance
Although her 78-year-old son, Dale Allcock, was unable to attend the Port Coquitlam, BC party, both Facetimed were premature.
It's really a gift. That's about all we can call it.
- Dale Allcock, son
"We have Facetime every day on his iPad and you can really tell how happy he is, and they treat him like gold," he said.
The Mayor of Kerrobert went to the Kerrobert Health Center to announce that he had declared Jan. 26 Esmond Allcock Day. (Submitted by Jaime Frydenlund)
The staff closed the party with their favorite meal: steak, carrots and fruit.
Happy 112th birthday, Dolly! Meeting with Ellen Gibb, the oldest person in Canada
The sweetness of the home
According to his son, Allcock lived for 100 years in Kerrobert, about 200 km southwest of Saskatoon. He worked as a farmer before retiring in 1975.
It has 67 living parents, including 38 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.