Chembur plans big bash for WWII veteran's 100 knock
By Jyoti Shelar, Mumbai Mirror | Jan 13, 2016, 02.25 AM IST
The former navy man, who was born before shortwave
radio or Band-Aid were invented, is in surprisingly
good shape and rarely skips his daily 20-minute
stroll 'Life has been good': Felix Fernandez, who
loves fish, music and whisky, turns 100 on Thursday.
Chembur residents are gearing up to celebrate the birthday of
their beloved 'Uncle Felix' who turns 100 on Thursday.
The World War II veteran, who was born before the shortwave
radio or the humble Band-Aid were invented, is in
surprisingly good shape and rarely skips his daily 20-minute
stroll in the compound of his bungalow.
"Life has been good," said the former navy man and a father
of five, whose last name is Fernandez.
He is known in the community for his love for whisky (in
moderation), music and fish -- a combination that never goes
out of favour -- and for his comic timing.
"But it's his kind nature that won us all over," said local
resident Tina D'souza, 58. "There is a buzz in the
neighbourhood for his 100th birthday -- everyone's excited to
be a part of the milestone.
Residents have been planning and discussing the
celebrations on WhatsApp groups. Uncle Felix's
bungalow, on St Anthony's Road near the Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour, is already being decked out for
the occasion. "He has been so nice to everyone that
we feel a sense of gratitude," D'souza said.
Thursday's planned events will begin with a prayer group and
end with a dinner reception.
Uncle Felix was born in Goa's Siolim village in 1916. He
moved to what was then Bombay in 1940 to join the Royal
Indian Navy. He served in the 'Mine Sweeper Division' and was
posted in Cochin.
"The World War II was going on. Though we were not affected
that much, we faced some air raids," he said.
The war also took him to Rangoon (Yangon), a former capital
of Myanmar. He recalled spending uneventful days singing,
playing the piano and kicking the football around.
Soon after the war, he joined Burmah Shell, which later
became Bharat Petroleum.
In Bombay, Uncle Felix first lived in Santacruz. He recounted
the incredible experience of listening to the radio as
Jawaharlal Nehru took oath as the first prime minister of an
independent India.
"We went crazy driving all around the city when the country
won its freedom. Everyone was on the road and people honked
the horn in celebration," he said.
But the soon-to-be-centenarian is not happy with the way
Mumbai has changed over the years. "It is a concrete jungle
now. There was a time when I went shooting ducks and fishing
with friends around my house in Chembur. Everything has
changed," he said.
Uncle Felix's daughter-in-law Dolly said he was hale and
hearty even at this age because of his disciplined lifestyle.
"He loves walking. Every day, he walks for 20 minutes in our
compound," said Dolly, who is married to his youngest son
Mario (61).
His eldest son, Victor (72), said the former navy man loved
the grand old operas Carmen, Tosca, Don Giovanni, La Traviata
and Aida. "He also enjoys gardening, a hobby he took up after
retirement. Red roses are his favourite."
Uncle Felix has participated in annual Bombay Rose Society
competitions and has won many prizes for his home-grown
blooms. His passion inspired Mario to pursue garden designing
as a profession.
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AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
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* American Susannah Mushatt Jones, aged 116, is currently
world's oldest living person
* Misao Okawa of Japan was the record holder until she died
last year aged 117
* In 2011, 125-year-old Parasram Gurjar of Madhya Pradesh was
said to be the oldest man in India
* A few years ago, the then Mumbai mayor Shubha Raul
felicitated five centenarians. Raul had proposed following
the tradition every year, but the BMC didn't keep a track
HAT-TIP to Goanetter Praba Mahajan <praba.maha...@gmail.com>
for sharing this link with us.
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Chembur-plans-big-bash-for-WW-II-veterans-100-knock/articleshow/50554963.cms
