By Jeune Bailey Van Keric
WITH much anticipation, he looked forward to celebrating his 103rd birthday, when his children would make much fuss over him. He loved being spoilt. He loved the attention, the warmth, the love outpoured by his children, some of whom travelled from distant lands to celebrate with him.

Victor Lewis, called ‘Little Johnny’ or ‘Old Police’, was born on February 25, 1917, to James Lewis, called Johnny Lewis, and Rachel Albert, at Eversham Village, which is a short distance from his present location.
He was nurtured by his paternal grandparents, James and Mary Lewis, at the very place he calls home.
At his Brighton Village, Corentyne home on Saturday, villagers and relatives will be decked in the colour green which will match the décor for the gathering at the special commemorative event, during which ‘Little Johnny’ will be honoured for being a committed father, and the oldest man in the community.

He credits his Creator for sparing his life, even as he urged youths to honour their parents so they, too, can have very long lives.

In presenting her father with a symbolic arrangement, daughter Brenda Lewis highlighted that the hat and boot, along with the carpentry and joinery tools, were used daily to feed, clothe and house the family from sunrise to sunset.
Mention was also made of his industriousness, by further supplementing the family’s income through the rearing of dairy cattle and the cultivation of coconut trees from where many products were derived.

During a discourse earlier, the centenarian recalled growing up with his cousin, Eric.
“He was my cousin. We were children of two siblings. My grandparents were farmers. They cultivated ground provisions, corn, and bananas. We were never hungry, but if we were, we would just go to the farm, pick a few ripened bananas off the sucker or parch and pound corn before eating it with sugar.

“Life was not as it is now. People farmed and the villagers, despite their ethnicity, lived in unity. In those days, if an African family had a function and did not invite their East Indian neighbour, that would be a big problem, and the uninvited person will inquire what was the reason for him or her not receiving an invitation. Life was so good, without the politicians,” he said, whilst clasping his hands between his legs.

The bespectacled gentleman, during his formative years, attended the Eversham Primary School when James Henry was the Headmaster. However, while he completed his schooling, he was unable to take the then School Leaving Examination, which was held at Rose Hall Scotts School in Rose Hall Town.

“I cannot now remember what prevented me from going to write the exams, but my now deceased friends, Albert King and Marth Douglas, they were successful at the exams and had pursued higher learning resulting in them being educators. I became a carpentry apprentice, under the stewardship of ‘Brother Grant’ of Phillipi Village.
“As a small boy, I had visited the village shop and had observed Brother Grant, doing some carpentry, and he asked me whether I was interested, and after responding in the affirmative, I started to learn the trade, and have since specialized in all areas of carpentry,” he said.

According to the widower, his trade took him to many areas locally, including the mining town of Linden and Matthews Ridge, and his marking is on all the multilateral schools, and other learning institutions, across the country. However, he was quick to add that as soon as he received his wages, he would hurry off to the nearest post office, where he would send the money to his now deceased wife, Monica, to assist in the maintenance of their eleven children, namely, Denzil, Eon, Victor Jnr, Eldon, Fay (now deceased), Wendy, Patricia, Brenda, Kim, Yonnette, and Denise. He has also fathered a son, Leon, who reside overseas.

“I used to give towards the upkeep of my home, wife and children. I have not remarried although my wife died over thirty years ago. When you have a wife you have to give, and I am not able with that now…” he said with a chuckle, whilst tilting his head backward.
Along with the maintenance of his family, Lewis, an elder of the Brighton Presbyterian Church, said church attendance was not an option for his family.

“We had to go. Sunday is the day to serve the Lord. We have to look to our Maker for everything. In these days, parents asking children if they would like to go to church. But, I was never taught that it was an option. It is a necessity,” he said.

The centenarian was quick to point out that, as a youth, he was a member of the Boys Scouts organisation, which would instill values, just in case it was not instilled in the home.’
“Trust, loyalty, helpfulness, brotherly love, to be courteous, kind, obedient, smiling, thrifty, pure,” he said.

The village of Brighton, which is bordered by Eversham and Kiltern, was known for its horse racing, but with time, the passion for the game has dwindled since, according to Lewis, the young men are not committed.

“They want money and more money, but they are not committed when it comes to enhancing community relations, so with time, the interest in horse racing has gone,” he said.

However, although he has not left his home, as his feet cannot take his weight, and he needs assistance in putting on his shoes and other garments, he is updated with current events: local, regional and international, and concluded that deeds of kindness, and words of love, can make this world a better place.