One of Barbados newest centenarians, John Burke (also known as John Young) celebrated his 100th birthday with family, friends and members of St. Jude’s Anglican Church, St. George, on Wednesday, December 20.
President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, was one of the specially invited guests to help celebrate the occasion.
Reverend Michael Walcott, St. Jude’s Anglican Church, opened the formal proceedings with a prayer.
Dorwin Scott (Dr. DJ Scotty), a nephew of the centenarian, shared that the centenarian “instilled knowledge and reassurance”. You just have to see him and he would always have a joke to tell you or a story to tell you,” he said.
Mr. Scott noted that Mr. Burke, while in his eighties, loved being in the community, initially on his bicycle and later on, playing the guitar. Mr. Scott further noted that the centenarian was an agriculturalist, with special knowledge on how to cut sugar cane. He added that Mr. Burke’s 100 years was “well deserved”.
Sherran Stevenson, a fellow church member and close friend of the centenarian, remarked: “I have always known Mr. Burke to be very warm, gentle, witty, and of course, very talented”.
Ms. Stevenson shared that the centenarian read Psalms 134 and 138 daily and was guided by three core principles, which were “love for God, love and commitment for his family, and a deep respect for others”.
Thyra Husbands, the centenarian’s daughter, noted that her father has always been a family-oriented person and “a strong advocate of education…making sure those school fees were paid”.
Mrs. Husbands also said that her father always instilled in her to “never be dependent on anyone” and that she was “always the best person to do anything” for herself.
A carpenter by trade, Mr. Burke was born in Drax Hall, St. John, and eventually moved to Baird’s Land, St. George. When carpentry was not as lucrative as he expected, the centenarian turned to other trades, such as masonry and agriculture.
In thanking the family for being a part of the day’s celebrations, Her Excellency noted: “If we allow our younger generation to interact with the older ones and learn and understand what they went through, then they would appreciate our history….”
“It is people like your dad who would have had the opportunity to guide the younger generation…. Every young person should be a young person…. You should go through your age but there are basic principles…good manners, respect for authority that should be the foundation of everything….”
Dame Sandra presented Mr. Burke with a fruit basket, a bottle of wine and a personalised card, which was followed by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” and toast to the centenarian.
In 1976, Mr. Burke married Eda Burke, who is now one of his caregivers, and together they had a son, Robin, and daughter, Thyra.
