At the ripe age of 102, Brookswood resident Harold Zinn鈥檚 advice for living a long life is simple.
鈥淛ust keep breathing,鈥� was his recommendation, which he offered up with a smile during a recent Centenarian Celebration held in Burnaby for some 30-plus B.C. residents 100 years of age or older.
The luncheon was held by Dania House Society at Carl Mortensen Manor in Burnaby.
鈥淚t was awesome to acknowledge our centenarians, not only to recognize them, but to celebrate them,鈥� said Bonnie McDonald, the community relations manager for The Village 91原创, where Zinn now resides.
鈥淲e know they鈥檝e lived a lot of life,鈥� she said, appreciative for the chance to sit down with Zinn and some of the other elders. It was fun, uplifting, and empowering to hear their stories, said McDonald, who accompanied Zinn to the event.
She noted how overjoyed he was to be recognized in such a fashion 鈥� receiving a boutonniere and literally walking a red carpet.
Each of the guests at the centenarian gathering received an orchid from the Burnaby mayor. They were treated to an elaborate lunch and live entertainment. Plus, there were a few speeches from dignitaries and the reading of a letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In the letter, Trudeau described the event as a 鈥渨onderful opportunity鈥� to honour those in the community who have reached the age of 100 and beyond.
The event was a chance to listen to their stories and perspectives, and 鈥渓earn from their wisdom and insights,鈥� said the prime minister.
鈥淚t allows us to recognize their lived experiences and the significant contributions they have made to the history and continued growth of our nation.鈥�
While thanking Dania Home for hosting the special event, he focused his thanks on the centenarians like Zinn.
鈥淚 would also like to recognize those individuals being celebrated today for reaching this momentous milestone鈥︹��
Zinn was born Jan. 23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and according to his original birth certificate he would be 101 now.
But Zinn shared the lengthy efforts he had to undergo to get the document corrected, to accurately reflect his true age. Now, he jokingly asked if he could have it reversed again, to be just one year younger.
鈥淗e鈥檚 so cute,鈥� McDonald said of Zinn.
Zinn lived on acreage in Brookswood for years but is now a villager at The Village 91原创 鈥� a residential facility specializing in memory care, located not far from his previous home in Brookswood.
In addition to his tip for breathing, Zinn also credits his long years of living to the good, clean air, and hard work like he experienced while serving for the Canadian Armed Forces in Alert and the Northwest Territories for years.
He also credits his organic gardening, good genes, and a little Baileys in his coffee each evening.
鈥淎nd he does have a great sense of humour,鈥� too, added McDonald, noting how infectious his smile and laugh can be to all those who get to know Zinn.
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