Take it from 103-year-old Leonard: ‘Forget about old age’ Leonard, age, Take, Forget, old

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Take it from 103-year-old Leonard: ‘Forget about old age’



Leonard Bowley looked at the big, white cake with “Happy 103rd Birthday” written in icing and took a deep breath to blow out the lone candle.

Keeping physically active is one of his secrets to a long, healthy life.

“I feel like a young man, really,” he said Sunday afternoon as dozens of staff and residents at his Vancouver retirement home gathered to sing Leonard “Happy Birthday” and eat cake.

“I don’t even feel like 100.

“I try to explain to people, ‘Forget about old age.’

“I exercise every morning, a half an hour for the whole body,” he says, flexing his arms like a body builder.

“From my fingers to my toes, I exercise all my joints.”

He’s proud that doesn’t have to walk with a cane, although he has a walker.

“I like to swing my arms when I walk, like I did in the Navy,” said Bowley.

Decked out in a festive jacket and tie, Bowley — who lost his wife of 62 years, Anne, in 2001 — enjoys the company of the many charming ladies who live along with him at Shannon Oaks.

He likes to see them dress up a bit.

“If you have nice clothes, put them on. Don’t keep them hidden in your closet,” he said.

“I like to see them dressed up.”

Leonard starts his day early, around about 5 a.m. He makes his own breakfast in his room, normally corn flakes with banana slices.

Leonard retired at 65 after a long haul driving electric trolley cars, for B.C. Electric Co. and B.C. Hydro.

His dual passions now are bowling and going to the casino, which he tries to do twice a week.

Leonard’s youngest son Bob Bowley, 65, was on hand to wish his dad well.

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Leonard’s huge family assembled for his 100th, when all 18 grandchildren were present along with dozens of his great-grandchildren

“He’s the oldest person in our family,” said Bob, adding many of his forebears have lived into their nineties.

“He likes to sing, he likes to drink beer, he loved dancing,” said Bob.

“He’s a pretty cool guy.”

Bob recalled the story of his dad winning a dance marathon in the 1930s as a young man in Depression-era Saskatoon.

“He danced for 30 days. The prize he won, a watch, was stolen,” said Bob.

The wear and tear on Leonard’s body landed him in hospital for internal complications resulting from being on his feet for so long.

“The doctor who examined him said, ‘I’m sorry, Mr. Bowley, but I’m afraid you only have a year to live,’” chuckled Bob.

“At 103 years, I think he made a mistake.”

Leonard, who was born in England, came to Saskatchewan as a young boy with his family, who were deeply involved with the Salvation Army. Despite being surrounded by evangelists, Leonard remained a non-believer, said Bob.

“He says, ‘I don’t believe. God’s not going to take me if I don’t believe in him,’” laughed Bob.


Leonard Bowley blows out the lone candle on his 103rd birthday cake after several attempts,Vancouver, Sunday, December 19, 2010