Howes family patriarch celebrates 100th birthday

It's not every day that someone celebrates his or her 100th birthday but, when Lloyd Howes does it, he does it in style.

Howes, who was born on January 22, 1911 on a property along Ridge Road near Routhier, arrived at his centenary party this past Saturday, surrounded by family, in a classic white limousine.

That afternoon, more than 650 guests stopped by the Caledonia Community Centre in St-Bernardin to offer their best wishes and celebrate the milestone birthday with a slice of cake (there were a total of 10 cakes served).

Many of those in attendance were part of an extended lineage of family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Ireland, while many others were close friends.

When asked about the feeling of turning 100 this year, Howes smiled and replied, "It's no different. I'm a little slower than before, but that's about it."

Then again, when someone asked advice on what age one stops chasing after women, it was clear that age was not yet a factor.

"You'll have to ask someone older than me!" he laughed.

Howes moved to a property on Old Military Road near Lochiel in 1941, and would manage a dairy farm there until about 1975. The property was also home to several horses, which he was very fond of.

"He made his living off of cows, but horses were his main love," said his son, Carmin.

At the age of 100, the man known as Dad, Uncle, and Grandpa has lived through 15 different prime ministers, from Wilfrid Laurier to Stephen Harper.

Like everyone, he said there were good days and bad days, but "the most important thing I learned in my life is to be honest with people."

Everyone agreed, however, that Lloyd Howes' secret to long life was his love for his family. He and his late wife, Edith, raised 11 children - seven sons and four daughters - and he now has 26 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

"He's a real people person," said his daughter-in-law, Doreen. "He always has something to look forward to, like a wedding, or someone being born.

"He's always got something to live for."