Enjoying a brief moment of quiet with his wife, Olive, at the WISH Center on Sunday, John Olbey breaks into a smile at the large group of family and friends in front of him.
To him, there was no better place to celebrate his 100th birthday.
The gathering was made possible through COVID-19 precautionary measures, including vaccination, with more than 140 expected to stop by at some point during the open house event.
“This is a wonderful day,” John said. “It’s very nice to see the folks get together.”
The Olbeys, who have three children, have been married for 73 years, and still live in the same home on King Street in Chatham.
John noted he has no real secret to his longevity, other than keeping busy.
Olive, 95, said they have been fortunate to have good health over the years, as well as be surrounded by loved ones.
“I think it’s wonderful. We are really hurt,” she said.
John, a Second World War veteran, served as sergeant with the Fourth Canadian Armored Brigade. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Services in August 1942, at the age of 21.
By February 1943, he arrived in Scotland, where he would go on to serve in the European theater of war in Britain, Belgium, France, Holland and Germany.
He served with a tank crew, starting out as a driver, then a co-driver, then a gunner, and a stint as crew commander.
After the war, he arrived in Halifax before being shipped to London, Ont., where he received his honorable discharge in May 1946, along with train fare back to Chatham.
He worked several jobs before continuing his education to earn his millwright designation.
Given Russia’s current invasion in Ukraine, John said he hopes peace will prevail, especially after seeing the human toll of conflict first-hand.
Pam Olbey called her father a strong-willed man, who raised his children’s right.
“He always taught us how to respect,” she said. “And he’s very independent. He walked in here without his walker.
“He’s doing really well. … Mom keeps him on the straight and narrow.”
She added she was thrilled to see the turnout Sunday, noting the celebration ended up getting “bigger and bigger” as it was being planned, and as the pandemic situation eased.
“He deserved it,” she said.
Sgt. John Olbey earned the following medals and decorations for his service to country as a member of the Fourth Canadian Armored Brigade:
– 1939-45 Star
– France and Germany Star
– King George VI Medal
– Canadian Voluntary Service Medal and Clasp
– British Service Medal
– Holland Service Medal
Honorable discharge
– With files from Ellwood Shreve