Latest update April 10th, 2025 12:07 AM
‘Brother Mack’ turns 101
Gladstone Augustus Mack, of Sophia, is now 101 years old. A soft-spoken gentleman he seems to be. A smiling man who is very content with what life has offered and will continue to offer.
He was born on October 31, 1911, at Aurora, Essequibo Coast, where he lived until 1925. Mack said that he tried very hard to pattern himself after his father, a man whom he claims to have adored, and the man whose death made him an orphan at age 14. His mother had died when he was just two years old.
101-year-old Gladstone Augustus Mack
After the passing of his father, Mack was then left in the care of his stepmother, a woman whom he was not very fond of. Thus, he eventually moved out and away to Georgetown.
But at age 28, Mack left the capital city to return to his hometown in Aurora where he courted a neighbour whom he grew up with. He fell deeply in love and ended up marrying her in 1944.
He and his wife, Viola, shared “the perfect marital bond” for 66 years until her death in 2010. Their relationship produced nine children. The family has been extended to 30 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
The centenarian also served as a “Church Steward” in a neighbouring Methodist Church. He was well-known in Aurora as ‘Brother Mack’ or ‘Uncle Mack’.
Mack’s children described him as a wonderful father; very loving and caring; a man who worked tirelessly to provide his children with all the necessities of life; he was a farmer.
Commenting on his life in the fields, Mack could not contain his tears. His working days brought back fond memories of his late wife; a woman whom he described as wonderful wife, mother, and a woman no less hardworking than he was.
Fighting to suppress his tears, Mack said that he misses his wife immensely, and that her being gone is the only thing that makes him sad.
The centenarian moved back to Georgetown just last year. He is being cared for by his children. He noted that they have all been taking the best care of him, tending to his every need.
Today, Mr. Mack enjoys eating chicken, watching television, taking naps, and chatting with his daughters.
It has been only a few months since the centenarian stopped walking because of a knee pain. The former church steward is in excellent shape; very coherent with good eyesight and hearing capabilities.
Mack said that he is living a very simple and quiet life, one that makes him happy and thankful to God for giving him loving and caring children.
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