FROM LEFT, Great-granddaughter Jaleah Bentham, son Richard Gordon, granddaughter Sharon Went and great-grandson Sha-dane Went standing around centenarian Louis Gordon. (GW)

HE WAS A CRAFTSMAN, a musician, a shoemaker, and more, and now Louis Gordon has another feather in his cap, or perhaps one should say 100 feathers.

On Thursday, Gordon celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and with a visit from Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands.

The new centenarian now lives a quiet life in Eversley Road, Brittons Hill, St Michael, with his son Richard Gordon and has another son, with his family, living just next door.

His children described him as a strict disciplinarian.

"You could not get away with any skylarking with him or he would tar your behind," said Aneta Henry, his daughter who flew in from England for the occasion. "But when Christmas came, we had the biggest turkey you could find."

Gordon was born in Carrington Village and went to school at the old Parkinson School. He used to play in the famous Percy Green Orchestra and won the Craftsperson of the Year Award in 1985.

He has seven children, 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. His wife Audrey died six
years ago.

Now his hearing and eyesight are not the best and his mind "comes and goes", but he can still get around, said Richard, who added:
"I feel great to see he has reached this milestone." (CA)