Clarendon centenarian is a role model for family
Blandford Ferguson Sr celebrated his 100th birthday in March and he was fortunate that he had his wife Pearlina beside him.
His son, Blandford Jr, relived memories of growing up with his parents and hsared these with the news team that visited the home.
Ferguson, who is more popularly known as Mass Standoff in the community of Effortville, Clarendon where he resides, seemed very distracted and didn’t really take much part in the conversation. He was more content to have his wife and son share his story. Pearlina, a sharp senior, recalls living in a harmonious relationship as she assured the team that they have not quarrelled or been upset with each other on any day in their marriage. She said they were always able to talk and deal with any situation that may have arisen. Meeting the man of her dreams at age 24, the team wanted more information on the encounter. Her fiery response was: “So mi haffi tell yuh dat tuh?” Prodded, she finally opened up on their first meeting. She said she left her home in Crooked River to head to May Pen to visit her sister and it was there she met Ferguson in the town.
She was back to her fiery self when quizzed on whether she was attracted to him at first sight.
RELATIONSHIP
“How you nuh caan see something and just like it?” she said. Pressed for more details on how the relationship was nurtured, she said Ferguson would visit her in the northern Clarendon community and stay over sometimes.
Blandford Jr, who picked up the story, said his father has six children with Pearlina and six outside the union, who were born before they were married.
The 50-year-old ‘baby’ of the children, he recalled growing up in a home that was free of arguments and said his loving parents always sought the best for them.
He said his father was a hard worker, as he worked at a bakery in May Pen and would do other jobs. He was an active person and enjoyed listening to music and “dropping foot” when he felt like it.
Ferguson Sr did manage to get up and treat the team to a classic display as he gave a glimpse of the dancer he was in his day.
As for Blandford Jr, he said one of the most valuable lessons his father taught him was staying out of trouble. Living in the troubled community, it has proven to be a good one.
“Him tell me don’t make trouble with people and he is a man who doesn’t believe in violence,” he shared.
Blandford Jr also shared that, on March 24, when a special birthday party was held for his father, his dad imparted words of wisdom to the guests, telling them to stay on the straight and narrow.