Vincentian centenarian Mitchinson “Mitchie” James on Friday, Feb. 2 celebrated his 106th birthday in good spirits, thanking the Almighty for attaining one other important milestone.
“Effectively, I’m feeling good,” the East Flatbush, Brooklyn resident advised Caribbean Life, in an unique interview, at his dwelling on Sunday, within the presence of his daughter, Hazel Morris, who serves as his caretaker. “Thank God for 106th birthday.
“All my pals are gone (lifeless), and I’ve to seek out new pals,” he quipped, stating that, on his birthday, he had “a superb meal.”
“It didn’t have roast breadfruit (a Vincentian delicacy, which, together with saltfish and jack fish, contains the nationwide dish),” added James, famend as “Uncle Mitchie”, disclosing that he had pancakes and eggs for breakfast, cooked by Hazel; and feasted on oxtail, and rice and peas for dinner, washing them down with coconut water, which his grand-daughter, Shenelle Davis, introduced.
All through his birthday, Hazel mentioned her dad ate sandwiches, ice cream and cake, and drank ginger beer and wine that different kinfolk additionally introduced.
She mentioned the birthday celebration was capped off with a go to by Pastor Chin, of Rudby Evangelical Church, on Snyder Avenue, close to Utica Avenue, in Brooklyn. James’s niece Daphne James – a registered nurse, who additionally introduced balloons and a fruit basket – is a member of that church, Hazel mentioned.
“I wish to be round till God is prepared for me,” James mentioned. “I’m pleased God spares my life. I’ve no aches or pains, and I hope to be round for just a few extra years.”
Hazel — who retired, in 2021, as a affected person accounts consultant, from the close by Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Heart, after 32 years — mentioned she was wanting ahead to her father’s 106th birthday “greater than him.”
“He mentioned he didn’t desire a social gathering; he simply needed prayers,” she mentioned. “He’s doing fairly good. It’s not a legal responsibility to me. I’m pleased to handle my dad.”
Hazel’s sister, Gail Davis, who resides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, described her dad as “considerably a celeb of kinds.”
She advised Caribbean Life that he’s “bountifully blessed, splendidly made, extremely favored and honored to be amongst a specialised group of human beings known as centenarians.”
“Proceed doing what you do,” Gail advised her father. “We thank God for all that’s handed and belief Him for all that’s to return. A great deal of love from all of us.”
James, who was born on Jan. 26, 1918, is the son and final youngster of the late Weston and Adina James in South Rivers, a preferred village on the windward facet of mainland St. Vincent.
As a boy, he mentioned he grew up in a “comparatively poor and stringent surroundings”, crediting his sister, Eulyn, for his upbringing after his mom’s demise, when he was solely 5 months previous.
James mentioned the elementary South Rivers Methodist Faculty in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with the Methodist Church and the group, supplied “love, energy and hope” in shaping his character.
On Aug. 10, 1942, James mentioned he enlisted within the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Power (RSVGPF), with the quantity, 29. He mentioned he was certainly one of six younger males in coaching on the time.
James mentioned the pressure had a complement of 59 policemen, led by British Police Chief, Jenkins.
James mentioned he served the RSVGPF for 23 years, reaching the rank of sergeant.
He mentioned the excessive level of his profession was working in all police stations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines however one, Stubbs, in South Windward.
He mentioned his father went to the Nice Past in his 90s, and that almost all of his siblings – 5 brothers and two sisters – died of their 90s, as nicely.
As a boy rising up in South Rivers, James mentioned he was very energetic in sports activities, notably cricket. He was a middle-order batsman and leg-spin bowler.
He mentioned river fish — suck stone (sucker), mullet, macock, cray fish, amongst others – and root and different greens sustained him, and lots of others within the small village, as a youth.
After retiring from the pressure, James mentioned he managed Sundown Blenders in capital Kingstown for five-plus years earlier than becoming a member of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce as a Worth Management Inspector, working with, amongst others, former Prime Minister the late Sir James F. Mitchell.
In 1980, James migrated to Brooklyn and has been dwelling in the identical residence in East Flatbush ever since.
He mentioned he labored in safety at Tempo College in decrease Manhattan for 10 years earlier than hanging up his hat.
In the midst of his life, he mentioned he married twice: Each wives are lifeless.
He married Hyacinth Edna Nanton, who died in 1975, whereas he served within the RSVGPF. That union produced Angella, Gail and Hazel.
However Gail mentioned the variety of youngsters her father “sired elevated, as he moved from one out-station to the following (as a police officer).” That can also be typical of some, if not most, law enforcement officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
James advised Caribbean Life that he has 15 youngsters. He didn’t establish all of them.
After migrating to the US, James mentioned he married one other compatriot, Millicent Williams.
In April 2020, the Associates of Sion Hill, Inc., a Brooklyn-based, Vincentian group group, honored James with its Longevity Award.
“Our particular centenarian left many half his age within the viewers with constructive instinct,” Oxley Lowman, the group’s then president, advised Caribbean Life after the five-plus-hour-long ceremony on the Associates of Crown Heights Instructional Heart in Brooklyn.
“Dwelling over 100 years previous isn’t solely onerous work however sacrifice,” he added. “Many people could by no means come near reaching 100 years.”
In 2018, the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Affiliation, U.S.A., Inc. additionally honored James with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
James was introduced with the award on the group’s Anniversary Celebration Gala and Awards Presentation, additionally on the Associates of Crown Heights Instructional Heart.
On the time, Hazel mentioned: “I determine I’ll spend a while with dad and make his really feel snug. This man isn’t going wherever now.”
