Mozart Mimms gets by with a little help from his friends.
Mimms turned 100 years old on Monday, April 30, surrounded by fellow Freemasons and others at Royal City Manor.
Two of the people celebrating along with him also recently turned 100 – Elizabeth Beyer and Ursula Lingley. The trifecta of centenarians were joined by fellow residents and visiting family and friends as music played and cake was served.
When asked what he had learned in his long life, for Mimms it came down to two simple things.
“Get you a good job,” he said, adding he’d always gotten along with his bosses and managers. “And treat people well – if you treat them well, they’ll treat you well.”
His motto seemed to work for him, as person after person came forward to shake his hand and wish him well during his interview with the Record. He explained that many of them were Masonic brothers and that he had joined the Masons more than 60 years ago.
“I’ve always had a lot of good friends,” he said, “people who come to you when you need it.”
His only family – a sister-in-law and niece – live in the United States. He left when he was in his 30s, he said.
Born in Allensville, Kentucky, he eventually attended the University of Nashville. One summer break, he worked as a porter with the Canadian Pacific Railway during the tourist season.
“I love B.C. and Canada,” he said.
After he graduated and hadn’t found a job, his old boss called and asked if he’d like a regular job with the railway line.
“I went for six months,” Mimms said, “and I stayed for 62 years.”
He went on to work for VIA Rail, retiring at the end of his career as a service manager.
“I worked all the time,” he told the Record, adding he started when he was 10 years old. “I always had a job.”
Now, Mimms spends his time watching TV and reading, and going on outings when he has someone to push his wheelchair. He loves sports – football, baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer.
He, along with his fellow centenarians, received letters from the Queen, the prime minister, the premier, the lieutenant-governor of B.C., the Governor General of Canada and other dignitaries.
The letters were very important to the recipients, according to Shannon Johnson, executive director of Royal City Manor.
“Just to feel honoured is important,” she said. “One hundred is such a special time.”
While it has become more common for residents to reach 100 than before, it is still unusual to have three at a time, she added.
It is an important milestone, she said, but added they celebrate every day.
“Mozart has been so excited,” Johnson said. “It’s a testament to the journeys they’ve taken, the friends in their lives.”
Mimms also occupies himself with a new hobby – he started painting two years ago, she said. He was even part of a show the manor put on at a local art gallery, she added.
A friend of 66 years, Berta, is also living at the manor now.
“They want to be together,” Johnson said. “Have dinner together, sit together.”
