Who’s the man? Francis Felix at 111

The words from the gre at - g re at - g r anddaughter of Francis Felix, believed to be the oldest man in Trinidad and Tobago, who celebrated his 111th birthday yesterday with family and friends at his home in Paramin.

Lisann Constantine, 41, continued on about her great-great grandfather and the five generations that he has impacted, “he always said keep on praying and ask God to strengthen your life, so that is why he lived to reach 111.” Thora Boisson of the Paramin Conference, along with the family, arranged the event, gathering his children and countless great grand and grandchildren to celebrate his legacy.

Only speaking Patois, Felix seemed tired from all of the busyness around him but found the strength to address his special guests, President Anthony Carmona and Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, the member of Parliament for Diego Martin Central.

Pointing out that Francis was born on October 4, 1905, the President stated, “so he would’ve experienced as a boy growing up World War I and World War II.

That’s just remarkable.” When asked about why it was so important for him to attend this celebration, Imbert stated, “Since I first met him when I was first campaigning, which was in 1991, we’re talking 25 years, he’s just a wellknown, well-loved figure in the village, so it was very important to me.” Noel Ho, District Sales Manager for Kiss Cakes, delivered two huge cakes for the celebration, one of which was designed as the number 111 with images of Felix and his family all over. The company has sponsored Felix’s birthday cakes since he turned 100 back in 2005.

Family and friends were dressed in red shirts with white writing stating “Who’s the man?” in the front and “Francis Felix 111” on the back. A huge image of Felix’s joyful smile stood right outside of his home, letting visitors know that they were in the right place, but as you walk into his home, a modest one floor, three room house which cost him a total of $30 at the time of purchase, you see the legacy that Felix has developed within Paramin in news articles along the wall.

Felix and his wife, Mathilda Felix, married and had all 12 of their children in that home.

She passed away in 1988, leaving her husband still in their home.

With his son, Valentine Constantine, just down the hill behind his home, Felix has constant care from his children and the comfort of being at home. “I want to really commend the family because it is so easy to put our elderly in homes and you all have refused to do that... that is a kind of testament to people that you are,” commended the President.