At 93 years of age, and still as spry as a young child, Jack Watkins has earned respect.
This was clearly evident on Tuesday afternoon when the curler received an official certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records claiming him as the oldest curler in the world.
Watkins received the honour from Greater Sudbury mayor John Rodriguez during a golf tournament lunch at the Lively Golf and Country Club.
Over 100 golfers stood up, without being provoked, and gave
Watkins a long standing ovation, showing a great deal of
respect for his achievement.
The feisty old timer down played the whole event.
"I'm excited in a way and I'm not excited," said Watkins. "The family is more excited than I am. When they heard about it, they were all coming and they're all here...to join in on the party."
And come his family did, from across Canada, as far as away
as B.C.
Granddaughter Erin Shilliday made the trek across four
provinces, with her husband Joe to share the special moment
with the person who most enriched her life.
"I spent a lot of time with my grandfather growing up as a kid," said Shilliday. "My parents would send the kids to spend summer with our grandparents. He was just awesome and still is. He was very engaging and brought us swimming all the time. This is a huge deal. He has worked so hard to get where he is today."
Watkins helped shape Shilliday's life.
"I learned a lot about life and sports from him," said
Shilliday. "I learned how to have fun. I was into sports and I
know I got that from him. He was a role model for me."
Watkins was born in Tiperarry, Ireland in 1914 at eight in the morning. He moved with his family to Canada in 1928, arriving in Montreal. They started their new life in Reston, Manitoba. Watkins started working on a farm at the age of 10. He came to Sudbury in 1936 and started working at Inco, first as an underground miner and then in ventilation and finally in the office staff. He put 40 years of service in with Inco.
Watkins took up curling and golf in 1955 and hasn't
stopped since. He actually golfed a full round early before
receiving his distinction.
He also earned several trophies for his horseshoe talents.
"I was never lazy...always worked," said Watkins, who owns a valid driver's license. "I never set a clock in my life to get up. I never went to college. I learned everything I know from the mine."
Watkins has galvanized his family with his sense of lifestyle and old fashioned work ethic.
"He's an inspiration to us...to a lot of people," said daughter Betty Murray. "He's in wonderful health thanks to his lifestyle and staying active. He has been a great family man and always taken care of us. We're so proud of his accomplishment."
Watkins has another astonishing accomplishment; he's been married to wife Rita for 66 years.
Rita is just as spirited as her husband. She also curled for many years.
"He's an easy going guy and really cheerful," said Rita. "Nothing seems to bother him. I curled for 30 years, so we have a lot in common. We've done all the little things to enjoy life together. I'm proud of him and it's nice he gets this kind of recognition."
Even at the ripe old age of 93 Watkins isn't slowing down. Not even for a second.
"I can do everything outside and inside the house without getting any help."
