Orville C. Smith, who resides at Tabor Manor in Abbotsford, celebrates his 100th birthday on June 29.
Orville was born on June 29, 1914 in Cookstown, Ont.
He received a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1937.
In 1940, he joined Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) in the explosives division.
Orville spent his career with CIL, living in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and B.C. until he retired as works manager at the CIL Explosives plant on James Island, B.C.
Orville married Dorothy Ransier (now deceased) in November 1940. He has one daughter, Sharon Firkins; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Jacqueline; and two great-grandchildren, Siri and Torsten.
Aside from family and career, Orville loves fishing, travelling, and the opera.
Although he is no longer able to go fishing or do much travellling, he has many stories about both that he is happy to share with anyone who is willing to listen.
When asked what he attributes to his longevity, his response is “oatmeal,” which he has been eating “every day for almost 100 years.”