Here's a better link, better written story,
this man was born on christmas Day!
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...106th_bir.html
The Rev. Charles Leonard, who still addresses congregation at the Mount Zion Church of Christ on the lower East Side, celebrates his 106th birthday on Christmas Day.
The Rev. Charles Leonard was born on Christmas Day - 106 years ago.
The Manhattan pastor is planning to celebrate his birthday Thursday surrounded by the three things that keep him feeling so young - friends, family and God.
"My generation coming up, young people, they were brought up in church," he said. "This is the way it was with me."
Leonard, who was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 25, 1902, credits his long life to his faith.
"The secret is God," he said. "He keeps me alert. He keeps me active."
Good genes don't hurt, either. Leonard's grandmother lived to be 108.
Leonard lived in the segregated South - North Carolina and Georgia, to be exact - for a while before moving to New York in 1933. He worked as a high-steam engineer for the Washington Heights Laundry Co.
He began preaching more than 50 years ago and still addresses his Disciples of Christ congregation at Mount Zion Church of Christ on Henry St. on the lower East Side, just a few blocks from his assisted-living home.
"He travels by himself, he goes out on his own, he's totally independent," said his 48-year-old great-niece, Brenda Greene. "If he doesn't hear from us, he calls and checks on us. Sometimes he's more alert than we are."
Leonard gets up at 4 a.m. every day because he was "raised up not letting daylight catch us in bed." He eats a big breakfast, reads the Bible and visits with friends.
And he doesn't drink or smoke.
"I live a clean life," he said proudly.
He has outlived five of his seven children. His wife, Anna, passed away in 1960, but he is surrounded by friends and family who dote on him.
"He is our rock," said his 69-year-old niece, Annette Williams.
Leonard recalled getting around New York by trolley car for just 5 cents. He said he's amazed by the technological advances made in his lifetime.
One thing didn't surprise him, though - the election of America's first black President.
"I was looking forward to it," he said.
He is content with his life after 106 years and says the real secret to his longevity is simple - just let it go.
"I try to have an easy attitude about everything," he said. "You have to be able to get along although something may come and upset you. Say what you want and throw it off. Don't hold on to things that will affect you. It's damaging to anybody's life to walk around with something in them."
sgaskell@nydailynews.com
Linear Mode
