Ira has 100 reasons to celebrate
Released: 13 September 2007
A Wolverhampton pensioner with more than 100 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren will celebrate his 100th birthday next week.
Although Ira Parsonage, who was born on September 18, 1907, does not have children of his own, he acquired a whole new family tree through his marriage to his beloved wife of 40 years, Sarah Ann, who had four children when they wed.
And that means there will be plenty of family members helping him to celebrate on Tuesday (September 18) because he now has no less than 21 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, 36 great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren.
Most will not be able to be with him at his party at Nelson Mandela House in person, but will be raising a toast or sending cards and messages to the centenarian, who will also be congratulated by Wolverhampton Mayor, Councillor Trudy Bowen.
Kathleen Smith, Assistant Residential Care Manager, said: “Ira is very pleasant and popular with everyone here at Nelson Mandela House. He is still very mobile and has always been in good health.
“We will be having a party for him with a buffet, cakes, drinks and some classic movies. His stepson and stepdaughter will be coming along, and I am sure Ira will be encouraged to have a glass of his favourite tipple, lager shandy.”
Ira, who puts his secret to a long and happy life down to not allowing himself to get worried about anything, has lived at the Wolverhampton City Council-run residential home, Nelson Mandela House, since March.
Black Country born-and-bred, Ira lived in Coseley until he wed in 1947, aged 40, and moved to Wolverhampton. He and Sarah Ann were happily married until she sadly passed away in 1987.
He also worked at Black Country boilers-to-vehicle parts manufacturer John Thompson’s for more than 50 years.
Issued by the press office.