Local resident celebrates 100th birthday surrounded by family

Written By BRIAN LOCKHART

To say he's had an interesting life might be an understatement.

For Shelburne resident, William Hooker, celebrating his 100th birthday means he has a lot to look back on.

Mr. Hooker's birthday, which was March 6, was celebrated with family and friends on March 7, at the Dufferin Oaks Long Term Care Centre where he currently resides.

Many guests wore period dress from the time Mr. Hooker was born.

He was born in London, England in 1920 and as a young man found himself thrust into the Second World War, serving in the 8th Army, 51st Highlanders.

His war record is something that would make for a very interesting movie.

He was in Dunkirk during the famous failed invasion and subsequent mass evacuation. His wartime escapades took him across various places in Europe and he was in some very well known war theatres including the late-war Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest.

After serving in the army for eight years and attaining the rank of Sergeant, he returned to private life, settled down and had a family. He had three children, Jenny, Josephine, and Peter.

Mr. Hooker immigrated to Canada in 1956, where had a job waiting. He arrived three months before his family to get settled and find a place to live.

After the company he worked for folded, he found a new job working for a foundry.

From there he worked for Garrett Manufacturing, making airplane parts and the family moved to Malton.

He has always kept active and enjoyed ballroom dancing with his late wife. He actually taught ballroom dancing in Florida when they wintered there.

Mr. Hooker has resided at Dufferin Oaks for the past two years.

Along with his children, he was joined by six grandchildren and seven grandchildren, and many friends and well wishers during the party.