Milestone for air force veteran
A Palmerston North man has notched up 100 years, full of laughs and music.
Jack Brummitt celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, surrounded by family and his friends at Metlifecare retirement village in Palmerston North.
Many of the village’s residents got together to eat cake, sing and share memories about the air force veteran. Brummitt moved to New Zealand from London in 1952, after signing up for the New Zealand Air Force.
Brummitt said he was sad not to be sharing the milestone birthday with his late wife Eileen, but said it was important to celebrate the good times.
The pair lived together in the village before she died in 2016. ‘‘I never thought I’d get here. ‘‘I was told I’d never make old bones.’’
His three children were all at the village for his birthday party, as well as two of his six grandchildren.
Brummitt’s daughter Maureen Searle said her father had always enjoyed singing and dancing.
‘‘He’s always enjoyed music ... He’d start singing in bars and by the time he was finished, there would be a line of drinks for them.’’
Daughter Valerie Sutherland said Brummitt’s good English sense of humour had stayed strong through the years.
She said music had helped him through some of the tough times in his life, including the death of his friend of 67 years, Gladys Holmes, earlier this year.
A handful of Brummitt’s friends in the village spoke at the party, thanking him for playing his music, which can be heard around the village.
Sutherland said reaching 100 years was a testament to her father’s character. ‘‘He has a knack of getting on with people. He accepts people as they are.’’
Brummitt’s wider family, including his four greatgrandchildren, are getting together on Saturday to continue the celebrations.