Wilfred Mauger, affectionately known as Wilf to all, has lived all of his 100 years in the parish, including during the Occupation.
Asked how he felt about reaching the milestone age, he said: ‘It’s not too bad.’
He is now the second from his set of nine siblings to do so. His older sister Ava died just shy of her 104th birthday.
Mr Mauger was not sure what the secret was to his longevity, but granddaughter Heidi Rosamund felt the answer could be found in her grandfather’s life-long health choices, as well as his kind, easy-going attitude.
‘He’s never smoked, never drank. So all quite good for his health,’ she said, ‘although, I should say his favourite tea is ham, egg and chips.
‘He’s lived a very long, fruitful and content life. He’s very quiet, gentle, and he worked hard for his family. Even though I’m married, I always say grandad’s the best man I’ve ever known.’
Like his father before him, Mr Mauger went on to have a large family, raising seven children with his wife. Initially, he worked as a labourer to support them before eventually settling into a career at Guernsey Telecoms, where he was responsible for maintaining telephone boxes over a 35-year career.
When asked what the best moment from his long life had been, Mr Mauger said: ‘My children.’
And today he is due to celebrate his birthday alongside them, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with a tea party at Chateau du Village nursing home, where he now lives.
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