Still olding down a job at 98... Ivor, the office party animal
WORK hard, play hard – even at 98! Non-stop nonagenarian Ivor Ward is still clocking on four days a week, then heading out to party with his colleagues.
The widower – a production operative at a healthcare firm – has been working since 1943 and admits he did once retire aged 79... but only for a day.
‘It sent me nuts so I went back to work almost immediately,’ he explains.
Ivor landed a job at EM Pharma near his home in Rothley, Leicestershire, soon after, and has loved every minute since.
‘I do four days a week now, from 7am until 3pm, Monday to Thursday.
It’s great,’ he adds. ‘In a way, coming to work is like coming home. I know everyone here. I know the families, there’s always someone to talk to.
‘At the weekends, we have parties with the younger people. We drink, dance and create mayhem.
It’s like being at home with the family when I’m working.
‘The day just goes by like lightning. It just generally keeps your mind busy and active.
‘It’s a pleasure to come into work, otherwise I’d just be at home sitting on my own doing nothing, ageing fast. In here, we have a laugh. I know so many people who just end up sitting at home.
‘That’s deadly, because you just end up getting up at 10am and sit all day in your pyjamas.’ Ivor’s working life began when he joined the Royal Engineers in 1943. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal before becoming a civil engineer after World War II.
He moved to another firm before becoming a professional poker player. ‘I worked pretty much nonstop until I was 79,’ he said. ‘Then the firm I was operations manager for sold up and that was that.’
Ivor, who has four great-greatgrandchildren, has lived alone for 30 years since his wife Joyce died at 63. His hobby is playing poker.
‘I’m happy here,’ he says. ‘In two years, when I’m 100, I’ll have a gap year. I’ve been around the world gambling so I’d like to visit the popular casinos again. Then I’ll come back.
‘End up skint or end up rich – either is fine with me.’