Hard work and fat pork: How George Monk made it to 106th birthday - Action News
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Hard work and fat pork: How George Monk made it to 106th birthday

Monk is a strong Salvation Army man and his family says he was always kind to strangers.

Now living in Clarenville, the Monkstown man and his family share secrets to long life

George Monk was born May 17, 1911. He says his first memories go back to his faith in the Salvation Army Church. (Melissa Tobin/CBC)

George Monk has seen a lot in his life.

Born in Monkstown, Placentia Bay, he has lived through two world wars and 12 Newfoundland premiers.

On Wednesday, he celebrated his 106th birthday.

Monk was a logger in his working days, taking over the family sawmill in his hometown. He retired in 1973 and moved to Clarenville.

His earliestmemories are about theSalvation Army and his faith.

"One of the earlier things I can think about was when I was converted. I wasn't very big," Monk said as he celebrated his latest birthday.

He married his sweetheart, Eva, who he adored for 75 years of marriage until her passing 10years ago. Together, the couple had five children, 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren.

Mild man with good heart

Many of his family and friends gathered on Wednesday to celebrate Monk's monumental birthday at the Clarenville Retirement Home.

This is one of the two cakes George Monk's family had to celebrate his 106th birthday (Melissa Tobin/CBC)

"Dad was a very mild man. He cared for everybody," said Myrtle Snook, one of his daughters.

"When the people used to come in boats in Monkstown, he would go down and they would get up on the wharf and he said 'Now, my son, come on up and have a cup of tea.' A good many times I sat to the table, I did not know who was in front of me, " Snook said.

Myrtle Snook is one of George Monk's five children. She says her father is a mild man and always had a kind heart. (Melissa Tobin/CBC)

Joe Monk, the only son in the family, saidhis friends all joke that he will outlast them because of his genes. He is proud to see his father happy and healthy.

"It's not too many that gets the pleasure of [turning 106] and for him to maintain the health that he still has. He was never sick that I remember, maybe the scattered flu."

'Trust in the blessed master'

And what does George Monk credit for his good health at an old age?

"He said one time what keeps him healthy is hard work and eating fat pork. But back in those days you hadno computers, you had to walk. You had to wear it all off. And he said 'by putting my trust in the blessed master,'" said his son.