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100 years and he’s still laughing and making the most of life!

Media Release: Anne Wentworth

100 years and he’s still laughing & making the most of life!
John Bennett Wentworth celebrates 100 years on Monday 30th April 2012.

John Wentworth celebrates his one-hundredth birthday on Monday 30th April.

A true gentleman and often described as a “real character”, even just within the last few years John has appeared on TV ads, been the editor and publisher of a magazine, designed mini America’s cup boat models for races and even refined his cooking and baking skills.

Born on the 30th April 1912 to Yorkshire parents. His father, Thomas, was a wheelwright from York and his mother, Dorothy, from Leeds. They came to NZ in 1908 to start their new life. In 1916 they moved to Penrose where Thomas worked in the NZ Railway workshop making equipment for the rail maintenance and in particular the jiggers, which were hand propelled.

In Penrose they purchased a two bedroom home on a one and three-quarter acre section in Beasley Ave. At this time Mt Smart stood in all its beauty and John and his brother Raymond spent most of their free time on this wonderful mountain – which is of course now hallowed turf for league fans. Their front gate is now the entrance to Mt Smart Stadium!

After also spending many years living in Onehunga, John also developed a strong connection with the Waitakere Ranges and the west coast beaches of Auckland – one that’s lasted over 70 years. This includes meeting and falling in love with Kathleen Farley whose parents managed the Karekare Lodge and then the Whatipu Lodge at the time he met her. (She used to hand paint all the menus with native flowers and birds). They married in 1940 and once they had started a family, they returned to Whatipu many times for holidays, camping and fishing with their two sons.

During the 1950’s, he spotted a section at Huia for sale, and they bought it. Building a back in true kiwi-style of the time…with an assortment of building materials and the quintessential outhouse. Even the furniture was built from discarded materials, the stools were mostly made from broomstick handles – and they’re still used around the table today! The much-loved bach at Huia has remained in the family, and John has visited it every year without fail.

In 1991, John and Kathleen moved from their home in Mt Roskill into Crestwood Village at Green Bay. Whilst Kathleen sadly passed away on the night of their 61st wedding anniversary, John has remained at Crestwood, surrounded by many friends.

Despite being retired, during his time at Crestwood, John has proved to be as inventive and creative as he was during his career as an engineer. He created the village magazine “Quail Trails”, wrote, edited, published over 200 copies regularly and it did more than “break even” thanks to his super sales techniques with advertisers.

He even appeared on The Good Morning Show a few times over the past few years, happily and freely extolling the virtues of Bio-Mag. He even surprised the presenters by scripting his own speech – and of course insisting on delivering it completely!

After living through two world wars, seeing Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, the innovation of television – and introduction of colour television – as well as the development of computers, John has seen some amazing transformations in New Zealand and the world.

He credits his attitude to life (and a very good sense of humour) as playing a big part in ensuring a long a happy life.

John is celebrating his birthday with two events. There is a lunch for family and close friends on Sunday 29th April, and a celebratory afternoon tea on Monday 30th April.

ENDS

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