Living a long and happy life is something that most of us aspire to do. This is exactly what Esmond Allcock achieved. Though he passed away only a few months later in 2018, he lived to be 108 years old. Not only was his life long, but he was really happy throughout it. His secret? Picking for yourself a good spouse.
Esmond Allcock’s Secret To A Long, Happy Life
On January 26, 2018, Esmond Allcock turned 108 years old. Born and raised in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, he lived there his whole life. Though he died a couple of months later in March, he was one of the oldest men in Canada. Naturally, everyone’s favorite question to ask him was to reveal his secret to living not just such a long life, but also a happy one. He says that getting himself a good wife was the number one, most important thing. (1)
“I didn’t behave myself for a few years there, but then I got a really good wife,” he said.
His wife Helen also lived quite a long time, passing away just seven years before he did. They were married for 72 years. Esmond continued to live in the family home for a time after she passed. Soon after, however, he decided to move into the Kerrobert Health Center. He lived there until he died.
Beloved by the home for his positive, upbeat personality, they threw him a proper birthday party to celebrate. The mayor came, as well as many of his family members. They made him his favorite meal: Steak, carrots, and fruit.
Esmond’s Life
Esmond Allcock was born in Saskatchewan in 1910. He lived in the town of Kerrobert for 100 years. He was a farmer, however, he retired in 1975. Esmond has 67 living relatives. Including 38 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. He outlived all of his siblings and even sadly a couple of his own children. (2)
He and his son Dale Facetimed every single day, including on his birthday. Dale could not attend the party because he lives in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He says that it was always clear how happy Esmond was living there. The staff truly treated him like family.
Read: 98-year-old Senior put in pool for neighborhood kids after wife passes away
Finally An Heir
Despite being the patriarch of more than 70 people, none of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or great-great-grandchildren were named after him. Finally, about a year before he died in 2017, that changed. His great-granddaughter Jenna Lehne decided to name her second son Esmond. Esmond senior was overwhelmed with emotion upon meeting his namesake. (3)
“As he held my son, he kissed his head and said over and over again, ‘You don’t know what this means to me. You don’t know what this means to me,’” Jenna recalled.
She says that when she got pregnant with her second child, Esmond mentioned to her grandmother that despite being responsible for 71 descendants, no one had named their son after him. Jenna and her husband had already been talking about naming this child after someone in the family. This knowledge made the decision easy as to who.
Esmond junior was born during the winter, and the family lived too long of a drive away for Esmond senior to be at the birth. Finally, when the winter weather abated and driving conditions were safer, Jenna and her husband drove the five hours to Kerrobert to finally introduce the pair.
“He takes such joy in his family and his decedents. He’s met all of his great-great-grand-kids and he loves each and every one of them,” she said.
A Truly Touching Moment
Jenna explained that while some family members do have Esmond as a middle name, this is the first to share the first name of Esmond. When they first arrived, Esmond senior didn’t recognize them. Despite that, he became attached to the little baby quickly. Eventually, he did realize who they were, his reaction was truly priceless. Though the family is spread out across the country, they remain in contact with each other via social media. This is truly a family full of love, and it all started with Esmond senior – and of course, his wife and the matriarch, Helen.
Keep Reading: Mom chokes up at gift 2-year-old son has for a 100-year-old neighbor
Sources
- “108-year-old Canadian man says the trick to a long life is to pick a good wife.” CBC. Alex Johnson. February 2, 2018.
- “Esmond Johnston Allcock.” Kindersley Funeral Home
- “After 70 descendants, a 108-year-old Canadian man finally gets a namesake.” CNN. Andrea Diaz. February 25, 2018.
This article originally appeared on Tiffy Taffy and has been repulished here with permission.