Harold McKenzie going strong at 104
Listening to 104-year-old Harold McKenzie, you could never guess his age because of his strong voice.
Describing himself as a ‘young bwoy’, McKenzie doesn’t allow age to define him. He lived and worked in England for 48 years before he finally returned to his homeland, the place he met and married the love of his life, Ivy Lewin, who passed away in 2000.
It was a touching moment as his daughter Noalyn Bailey, his sole child living in Jamaica, presented him with a photo of both of them in their young years.
Lovingly using his finger to trace her face in the picture, there was no missing the emotion in his voice as he called her name.
“Ivy gal, dis a when she was 19, yes man; God, a luub him,” he said aloud, still gazing intensely at the photo. Marrying her, according to McKenzie, was the best decision he ever made and he thanks his late father for insisting he make her his wife. He said his father died the same day he asked for Ivy’s hand in marriage.
“Same day him ride donkey, di same day him go a hospital and him dead. Him sey, married dat girl when you go home and tek care of she,” McKenzie said his father told him in the Chapelton Hospital. “Him die, but mi married Ivy Lewin.”
Their marriage lasted for over 60 years. Sharing the secret to the successful union, he simply said, “Because we live good. Wi nuh quarrel, we nuh fight, di two a wi baptise one day a church,” he said. The centenarian has cheated death three times and he gives God all the praise for the journey. He related how many gave up on him, assuming he would not make it, but miraculously he pulled through and is still going strong.
After falling out of a tree, he got a massive stroke when in his 90s, where he had no form of movement. He was rushed to the hospital, unresponsive. After several hours being in that state, he suddenly opened his eyes and started talking. After medical scans and other examinations, doctors are still puzzled as to how he bounced back without any negative repercussions.
In fact, according to Bailey, he bounced back more energised and ready to tackle his ‘flitters’ in the kitchen, using his ‘pound of saltfish’ in it.
The news team was treated to a soul- stirring sermon from McKenzie, as he urged all to remember the Creator and to serve Him. In his words of advice for young people, he urged them to know the company they keep. He also had words for the women.
“If di man do you anyting, forgive him; don’t forget sey him did cut you, but forgive him,” he said. McKenzie also warned persons to be kind to young men.
“Di bwoy today, you run left him, him tun man tomorrow. If you can help, you help him,” he opined.