Arthur McCready came to Canada as a teen to work farm on dad's property

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Times & Transcript Staff

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Arthur McCready recalls a lesson taught by his science teacher in the early part of the 20th century.

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VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCR

Arthur McCready is congratulated on his 100th birthday in Dorchester by his great-grandaughter Teri McCready, 19, of Moncton.

"When I was a boy, my teacher was telling us about the marvel of the telegraph and telephone," said Arthur. "I asked the teacher, 'do you suppose some day you won't just be able to hear them over the phone, but see them?' He explained to me how absolutely impossible it was. Now it's common place."

Arthur, of Johnson's Mills, was sitting in a comfy chair at St. Edward's Hall on Route 106 in Dorchester Saturday afternoon, surrounded by friends and family for his 100th birthday party. Arthur knew his family was planning something, but he wasn't expecting to see so many people out to wish him well.

"I'm rather surprised, I really wasn't expecting it," he said, leaning forward in his chair to be better heard. "I feel amazed I'm 100, because I don't feel 100, besides being hard of hearing and a little shaky walking."

Arthur, who's lived on his family property ever since he moved to Johnson's Mills at age 16, said he's seen a lot in his lifetime. Some of what he's seen was on display a few feet away on a board under a heading that read: Arthur's 1st 100 years.

Arthur said there was nothing like computers and cell phones when he was younger.

And while mankind has advanced in areas like space travel -- "they're looking for new planets all the time," he said, impressed -- he said people don't always treat each other well or take care of the planet.

"To me the world is going to hell," said Arthur, dressed in a dapper suit and tie for his birthday celebration. "They pass all these gun laws in Canada but there's more shooting going on than there was years ago."

When Arthur was 16 he was living in New York and his father acquired land in New Brunswick because someone defaulted on a debt.

Arthur's older sister was given the opportunity to come here and run the farm but it didn't work out.

"Her idea of farming was far from reality," he said. "She just wanted to ride around on a horse all day."

Arthur told his father he wanted to run the farm so his dad sent him up to Johnson's Mills with the agreement that if he was successful he would give him the deed, which he did when Arthur turned 21 in 1930. He still lives on that property today.

His daughter Patricia Jones and her husband Allan live in the main house now while Arthur lives in a smaller home on the property.

He's scheduled to move into a special-care home in a month or so.

"He didn't want to spend another winter there," said Patricia.

Arthur worked the farm over the years, worked a long time for the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in Amherst and was also the postmaster for the area. He even spent a few months working in the mess hall at the U.S. military base in Goose Bay, Labrador.

Patricia said her father only gave up driving in his mid-90s.

"He kept active for a number of years," she said. "And his mind is still there. He can tell you stories from way back and he loves an audience."

Arthur had his audience yesterday as people waited for him outside in the wet weather to see him arrive in a 1929 Dodge. After he took his seat they lined up to shake his hand and wish him well.

One of those on hand to wish him a happy birthday was Teri McCready, Arthur's 19-year-old great-granddaughter.

"It's just unbelievable to make it to 100," she said. "While his body may be 100, his mind is much younger."

Teri said it's hard to imagine all the things he's seen over the years and how different his upbringing was from hers.

"He was used to a horse and buggy, I'm used to computers and my iPod," she said.

Another well-wisher was Dorchester Mayor Mel Goodland, who had a framed official congratulatory message from the village.

"That's a huge milestone, 100 years," said the mayor as he waited for his moment with Arthur. "He would have seen stagecoaches going through the village and so much history. From the horse and buggy to the moon landing, what a life that is. It's amazing."

Arthur said he doesn't know what the secret to long life is, despite his age. He figures it has a lot to do with growing his own vegetables and eating naturally.

"I attribute it to the good food I had when I farmed," he said.