The pipes, the pipes were calling out a happy birthday for Collingwood resident Gerald McCulloch who turns 107 today.
He celebrated with friends and fellow residents of Sunset Manor at a party this afternoon with a live performance by members of the Bienn Gorm Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band, whose set list included a rendition of happy birthday.
The bagpipes play McCulloch's favourite music, and he exclaimed during his party the Bienn Gorm performance was the best he's heard in 50 years.
McCulloch, a Collingwood resident now living at Sunset Manor, was born Jan. 12, 1917, in Lincolnshire, England.
His career in aircraft mechanics began with the British Royal Air Force from 1939 to 1946. He lived in Egypt, Greece, Italy, and moved to Canada in 1951. He married in 1949 and enjoyed 64-and-a-half years of marriage.
McCulloch's father was in the infantry for the First World War and, during the war, carried a small locket that included a photo of three-month-old Gerald in it. McCulloch still keeps the locket in his room.
In Canada, McCulloch worked on the development of the Avro Arrow jet. His love for cars and engines endures, and he has visited the replica model of the Avro Arrow at Edenvale Aerodrome.
Today, McCulloch suggested Canada's government will be lamenting the cancellation of the Avro, because "they're going to need it."
McCulloch continues to exercise every single day, a habit that began in the Air Force during basic training when he and the other recruits exercised sea-side eight hours a day. He's also a talented baker with particular expertise in shortbread.
He said he "doesn't really think about" turning 107 years old, except that he'd like that number to be a little lower.
McCulloch received certificates and congratulations from MP Terry Dowdall, MPP Brian Saunderson, Clearview Mayor Doug Measures, and Collingwood Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer, the latter two of the group offered congratulations on behalf of the County of Simcoe.
