Harry Ellsworth, a resident at the Rimbey Manor, turned 101 Oct. 9.
He was born in the Forshee area in 1911, the same year the Alberta census showed Alberta to be populated by 374,295 people.
Ellsworth showed up for his birthday party, held in the dining room of the Rimbey Manor, accompanied by his daughter, Carol Jaffray.
He looked quite spry and alert and was more than willing to enjoy a piece of his decorated chocolate birthday cake.
Surrounded by family and friends, he seemed quite happy to be enjoying such a special birthday.
Unfortunately, Harry is quite hard of hearing and when asked what his secret was to living to such a great age, he couldn’t seem to hear the question. After it was repeated several times, he simply shrugged and continued to enjoy the little party put on in his honor.
However, daughter Carol surmised that hard work, clean living and lots of exercise has contributed to his long life.
She said her father was a mixed farmer in the Forshee area. He and his wife Clara, who has since passed away, raised four children, Orville, Ken, Leslie and Carol. He moved to Rimbey in 1974.
While farming in the area, Ellsworth was a member of the Forshee Hall board.
The Rimbey Manor resident has 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.