When searching for the secret to a long life, one checks with the experts.

At 105 years old, Courtenay, B.C. resident Ken Dimond would be considered such an expert.

His advice?

害羞草研究所淭he secret is to wake up every morning!

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l tell you what it really is,害羞草研究所� said Dimond, as he prepared for his 105th birthday celebrations at Casa Loma Seniors Village. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 because I害羞草研究所檝e got a good hobby - model ship building.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been trying to do them here (Casa Loma) but somehow or other, I don害羞草研究所檛 seem to find enough time. I keep working at it, though.害羞草研究所�

Dimond was born March 10, 1917 in Brandon, Man., but didn害羞草研究所檛 stick around for very long.

害羞草研究所淚 stayed there for two weeks, but didn害羞草研究所檛 like it,害羞草研究所� he quipped.

He grew up in Stoughton, Sask. and remained on the prairies for most of his career as a machine fitter.

He retired in Flin Flon at the age of 65, in 1982.

He害羞草研究所檚 a recent addition to the Comox Valley, having moved into Casa Loma 14 months ago, from Maple Ridge, B.C., where he spent the previous 25 years of his life.

He and his late wife, Pearl, raised two children - Roy, and Marjorie.

His move brings Dimond close to his grandchildren - Marjorie害羞草研究所檚 children. His grandson, Eric Staal, lives in Cumberland, and his granddaughter, Christina Goldsztajn, lives in Comox.

害羞草研究所淗e was always meant to live this long, but I think this has helped keep him healthy and mobile and safe,害羞草研究所� said Goldsztajn, who has a favourite childhood memory of 害羞草研究所榞randpa.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淗e used to pick me up after school - he was my caregiver during the week, and he used to let me tell him where to turn, in the car. Sometimes I would just make him drive mindlessly forever, because I liked sitting in his Mustang with him, cruising. He never complained, and then he gave me that Mustang for my birthday when I turned 20.害羞草研究所�

Staal said Dimond gave him an appreciation of nature.

害羞草研究所淕oing for walks in the forests - that害羞草研究所檚 my fondest memory,害羞草研究所� said Staal. 害羞草研究所淗e would take me out all the time exploring the different parks around the Lower Mainland. That was very formative for me and it害羞草研究所檚 still what I love to do today.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 wonderful (to have him close by.)害羞草研究所�

Dimond is an inspiration to both tenants and staff at Casa Loma.

害羞草研究所淗is two mottos in life are, 害羞草研究所榊ou gotta get going to keep going,害羞草研究所� and, 害羞草研究所楧on害羞草研究所檛 worry, don害羞草研究所檛 hurry, be happy,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 said Casa Loma community relations manager, Miranda Sorenson. 害羞草研究所淗e keeps his body young with lots and lots of walking. He says there is no better way to make friends than by walking with them.害羞草研究所�

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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