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on drives around Townsville and often tells us what certain buildings used to be used for,” Judith said.
“He has seen many changes in Townsville and the world during the past 100 years and often comments that he feels a stranger in his own town.”
The centenarian was born and raised in Townsville and prefers to be called Cec because he says he’s “not ill”.
Cec attended Hermit Park State School, leaving after Year 7 to help his father who was a local builder.
He continued to do carpentry and building work until 1941, when he was conscripted into the army where he was retrained in metal work. He then became an artificer and was attached to the 22 Battalion, spending most of World War II in Papua New Guinea.
After returning to Townsville following his time in the army, Cec and his best mate Keith Smith, set up a boat building business, K.G. Smith and Co, Boat Builders and Shipwrights.
Judith said the business was located in South Townsville opposite the Metropole Hotel in Palmer St where the remnants of the slipway can still be seen.
“Dad was always proud to say that he was the CO,” she said.
“Many meetings and business transactions took place over at The Metropole. Dad, Keith and their group of friends were known as the Knights of the Round Table, where they solved the problems of the world.”
The business was terminated in the 1980s when Cec and Keith retired.
“Dad was known by many of the apprentices as Mr Do It Again,” said Judith.
“If Dad didn’t think that the work that they had done was acceptable, they would have to do it again.
“Dad is a very patient person, with an eye for detail and accuracy in everything that he did.”
The youngest of five children, Cec married Georgina Butler in 1952 and built a house in Currajong, which became the family home.
Judith said her dad always had a good work ethic.
“When he built the family home in Currajong, he managed to trip and fall out of the front windows from the high block house, thus breaking his wrists,” she said.
“This was just before he and Mum were to be married.
“He had to have his casts adjusted so that his wedding suit would fit.
“Dad has had a few accidents over at the boat shed as well, slicing the tip off his finger with the circular saw and opening up the bottom of his foot on some barnacles at low tide near the slipway.”
She described her dad as a real gentleman and a quiet man who did not seek attention or make a fuss.
“Dad is always wanting to help others and has a huge smile that makes you happy and lights up your day,” she said.
“He is well known within the family and with close friends throughout his life as being a practical joker.
“His gentle, quiet nature attracts animals and children alike. Dad never pushes or forces himself upon others. He lets them come to him, if they choose to.”
Cec has lived at The Good Shepherd Home for the past two years and before COVID-19 he enjoyed going for buggy rides around the river and visiting the JCU Kindy where he has made many special little friends.
The kids at the kindy made a big poster for his 100th birthday party and a music show to watch with his family.
“Cecil is an absolute gentleman, always worried about others before himself. He spends most of his day relaxing in his room in his comfy recliner,” said Andrea Elson, a diversional therapist co-ordinator at the home.