100-year-old still very alert

THE LASHLEY FAMILY of St George is one well known for its longevity.Patriarch of the family, John Evan Lashley, became the island’s latest centenarian and e celebrated with friends and family at his residence in Blenman Road, Ellerton.Lashley, who worked as a mason almost his entire life, also received a visit from Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands, who chatted with him for a while, before toasting his longevity. “They say big families are never poor,” Sir Clifford remarked, to which one of Lashley’s grandsons responded: “So did you come from a big family too, sir?” This got roars of laughter from the gathering.Lashley, who with his wife Ira had 11 children, eight of whom are still alive, is said to have worked in various areas of the Caribbean. He was married for 69 years, but his wife passed away two years ago at the age of 92.Although he did not speak much during the celebration, his daughter, Elsa Lashley, who came in from overseas, noted her father was still very mentally alert.She pointed out that her father was still very independent, as he required minimum help with his daily routines and was also in very good health.“He doesn’t take any medication for any ailments, he is very alert, and he is such a peaceful man,” she said of her father. She added that her father was always very polite.His daughter said whenever he was asked how he was feeling, he would always respond “I’m cool. I have no pain nowhere, so I’m cool”.Among those attending the celebration were some of his children, who came in from Boston, Texas and Canada, and his two sisters, Iris Springer, who is 92 years old, and his youngest sister Ismay Leotta Pinder, who is 86 years old.Lashley has 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grands. (CT)