“Good genes” – Eye resident reveals the secret to living a long life on his 102nd birthday

An Eye care home resident has celebrated his 102^nd birthday and revealed his secret to living a long and joyful life is good genes.

Reginald (Reg) Gladwell, from Hartismere Place, on Castleton Way, marked the impressive milestone on 10^th June, and was joined by family members, residents and team members to toast the special occasion.

 

Revealing his secret to a long and happy life, Reg, who is well known at the home for his love of gardening and sense of humour, said: “It’s the luck of the draw – good genes has seen some of my family live until their 90s”.

Enjoying the special day with a slice of birthday cake and a host of special gifts, the team went above and beyond to ensure Reg enjoyed a celebration to remember.

Claire Martin, Home Manager at Hartismere Place, said: “Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Reg’s birthday, and he was particularly pleased to see his surprise birthday cake.

“Reg has been living at Hartismere Place for just over a year now, and it’s fair to say the home wouldn’t be the same without him. Reg’s wonderful outlook on life never fails to make us smile and his quick wit definitely keeps us on our toes!

“Here at Hartismere Place, we always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, and Reg’s 102^nd was no exception. We had great fun decorating the home and baking him a special birthday cake.” 

Reg was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, in 1921 before moving near Stowmarket as a young boy where he spent most of his life. While still training as an apprentice at a building site in Needham Market, Reg was called upon to serve in the war, where he completed four and a half years of service – in countries including Italy, Egypt, France and Germany. Looking back on his long life, Reg is proud to have travelled overseas many times and visited over 28 countries.

Reg and his wife Muriel were married in 1945. The couple shared a lifetime of happy memories and went on to have two daughters together, Rosemary and Jean, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The pair marked more than forty special years of marriage together.

Hartismere Place has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives and is set to re-open its day centre in the coming months. The home provides full-time residential, residential dementia, as well as short term respite care.

To find out more about Hartismere Place, please contact Senior Customer Relations Manager, Angela Hodge, on 01379 888276, email angela.hodge@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/hartismere-place