Stephen Wright - george henry

The Bible states that the appointed time of man is three score years and ten or in layman's terms 70 years. Well, that number has been long passed by Stephen Wright of Sanguinetti in north west Clarendon. Wright who hails from a family where several members have surpassed the 70-year mark, is now less than a month from his 111th birthday.

His mother Estelle Simpson-Wright reportedly bore 25 children from two marriages; unfortunately, five of her children died before enjoying their share of longevity. Wright, who will celebrate his birthday on August 24th, told THE STAR's Life and Times that his mother passed away when she was 107 years old, and his grandmother died at 111 years old, the age he wants to surpass should God allow him.

Wright is however unsure as to the age his father died, as according to him he could only remember that he was 13 years old when his father left for England in 1914 to fight war. He pointed out that both his parents and grandmother hailed from Top Hill in St. Elizabeth.

Wright noted that except for his five siblings who passed away early in life, all his siblings lived for at least 70 years. He noted also that he has three brothers who reside in Mandeville Manchester; one in his 90's and the other two in their 80s. He said nine of his siblings are still alive, one currently residing in England.

"My sister Enid Lewis is almost 70 and my brother Elie Carnegie is in his 70's, and they live here in Sanguinetti as well, said Wright.

my parents

Stephen Wright, who has eleven children of his own, said his eldest, Norman Wright, 68, lives at Trout Hall in Clarendon. Three of his children have passed away.

Asked what he believes has contributed to his longevity, Wright said it can be attributed to the fact that he tried his best to do what the Bible asks all children, which is to 'honour their parents' so that their days can be long.

"I honoured my parents. It is not that I ate any better food than anyone else. It is because I did a lot of good for my parents and especially my mother who told me before she died that God was going to bless me," testified the centenarian with a broad smile.

Wright, who is unable to stand for very long due to pain from an injury to his waist that he received more than 15 years ago when he fell from a building, has no serious illness. His sight is as good as ever; his memory is like that of an elephant; he hears well, speaks well and eats almost everything. He can also be seen worshipping in church on Saturdays.

plenty fish

"I used to eat my banana, yellow yam, coco and white yam; and beef and mutton were my favourite meat while I was growing up. I used to eat a lot of sea fish. The fish we used to get from Alligator Pond in Manchester. Me and my friend Megzil Cohen used to go there to get plenty fish you know man," recalled Wright with a smile.

He said he and Cohen were the first men in Sanguinetti to construct houses made of concrete blocks in their community, following Hurricane Charlie in 1951. His house he recalled was constructed in 1952. Wright bragged that at his age and as he looks towards celebrating his 111th birthday on the 24th of August, he is in the best of health without much to complain about.

"I give the Lord thanks for long life and good health and for allowing me to be eating almost everything I get. Right now my favourite meat is chicken; and I eat it any way it cook. Right now I don't even have medicine taking, cause me not sick, I don't have any complaint at my age," said Wright.

The centenarian gave commendations to the Cohen family in Sanguinetti for the contributions they have made towards his development during his boyhood years until he became a man. He stressed that that family is a blessed one and that he is still happy to be associated with all the members.

Wright's only regret now is that although he is still able to walk around his home, he is not able to walk as far as he would like outside of his house. He is calling on all children to honour their parents so that they can live as long as him.

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