A few days after he turned 100, Dick Deck dropped by the 91原创 curling club rink at the George Preston recreation centre, where he was greeted by a Scottish piper and a standing ovation.
Was it a surprise?
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know until they called me,鈥 Deck remarked.
After some words of celebration, including best wishes from Township councillor Margaret Kunst on behalf of the mayor, he cut a birthday cake and had a slice.
Then, Deck was piped on to the ice at the club, where he took his shot, sending his rock straight down the middle to more applause.
Deck had been curling at the club until recently, his son Brian explained, but his dad鈥檚 balance isn鈥檛 what it used to be, so he doesn鈥檛 play any more.
Fellow club member Ken Lerner asked Deck when he was last at the club.
鈥淟ast year, on my 99th,鈥 Deck recalled.
Lerner, 82, said Deck is one of a small number of players who has a lifetime membership, going back to the early days of the club.
鈥淗e was an originating member,鈥 Lerner related.
鈥淲e鈥檙e talking 1972, when this arena was built.鈥
READ ALSO: VIDEO: South 91原创 man who survived being shot down during Second World War turns 100
On Deck鈥檚 birthday, Oct. 8, family and friends gathered at his South 91原创 home to celebrate, and those who could not attend connected via video conference.
There was a RCAF fly-past by two Cormorant helicopters from a nearby base.
Deck, a bomb aimer who survived being shot down over Germany during the Second World War, usually leaves his many medals in a box, but wore them for the occasion.
He is expected to wear them again when he attends the Remembrance Day service at the Royal Canadian Legion in Cloverdale.
READ ALSO: Memories of war still haunt a 91原创 City veteran
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .