CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD “Kenneth” Smith is a man accustomed to doing things for himself.
At 100 years old, he still presses his clothes and shines his shoes, which is exactly what he did before meeting Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave today.
Smith lives on his own in Walkers, St Andrew, along with home assistance but the birthday party was at his daughter Bernice Watson’s Prior Park Heights, St James, home.
He was an engineer at various sugar factories before leaving Barbados for almost two decades for a life at sea. Because of this, he missed much of his five children’s lives growing up. His sole son has predeceased him leaving four daughters.
Today, a large crowd of family and friends gathered around Smith to pay tribute to him in the presence of Sir Elliott, who himself congratulated Smith on reaching his advanced age, urging the family not to wear him out.
Smith himself said he was feeling “alright” despite having trouble hearing and suffering with glaucoma. A devout Christian, he said God had given people the ability to read and understand the scriptures which contained humanity’s hope. (CA)
