101 for ‘Uncle Bob’

It seems as if hard work is a tonic which caused centenarian Thomas 'Uncle Bob' Higgins to remain a vibrant member of his household.

Higgins celebrated his 101st birthday on February 25 at his home in the quaint community of Palm district, Threadways, St Catherine.

"I was born right here in Palm. My mother was Alicia Higgins and mi father name William Higgins. They were farmers. I wanted to farm, but mi do painting for a living," Higgins said. He said that he attended the York Street Elementary School and later on worked for many years with General Paintings. This saw him working all across Jamaica, so much so that he lived in Kingston for several years. His work had its fair share of adventure, including a fall while doing work at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel years ago.

"He is blessed, as I remember he was painting and drop from way up, but as God would have it, him just brush off the pants and start again," Alston Allen said.

Those who gathered at Higgins' birthday celebration paid homage to his longevity and his acts of kindness.

"I remember Uncle Bob' as a kind man. He would visit us every week and he always taking gifts to us," Adina 'Betty' Watts said. Higgins is a father of four children, two of whom he has with wife Vannette. The two exchanged matrimonial vows in 1983. Having been married for more than 40 years, Vannette said that she knew the true spirit of her husband.

"I have known him to be caring person who is full of love and constantly praise God throughout the day. He is also very organised, as even yesterday he was asking if there is enough gas to do the cooking here today," she said.

Vannette, who is a teacher, gave a little insight into what Higgins loves at the dinner table.

"He eats a little pork, a little beef, rundown, plus chicken. Yes, that is the number one for him," she said, before reflecting on his chosen profession.

"He is an excellent painter. He really loves it. However, he is not able to [do it] any more. It is a pleasure to care for him as he eats everything, but has a special taste for chicken," she said. To add to her tribute, Bannet recited a poem that was written for her husband. Among the other tributes, attendees sang an original birthday song penned for Higgins. In addition, members of the Threadways Gospel Assembly, of which Higgins is a member, added their best wishes by way of a praise and worship session. The evening's celebrations concluded with the partaking of the festive meal, which the centenarian especially enjoyed.