Mr. Cleville Benjamin of Fishing Pond, Sangre Grande joined Trinidad and Tobago’s centenarian club when he celebrated his birthday on Sunday 3rd September, 2023 and shared his secret to longevity. “I believe in the Almighty. Plenty of ground provision, grate coconut, roast coconut, chataigne and peewah. On a rainy day, we would go to the ravine and catch mountain crab and boil the mountain crab in coconut and eat it just so, but I always trust in the Lord,” he said.
Despite the huge milestone, Mr. Benjamin lovingly called “daddy” and “grandpa” is looking forward to celebrating sixty-seven (67) years of marriage to his wife Thelma in December with his children, grandchildren and great-children, as his family is his most treasured possession.
“On December 27, 1952, I got married to Thelma and we are together up to today, no division, no breakaway. We have eight children, five girls and three boys, one girl died, and sixteen grandchildren and about fourteen great-grandchildren and I am grateful to be in the land of the living, thank the Lord,” he said.
He also shared some advice for younger couples. “At times, things doesn’t be that well, but with a little determination in life and, you respect one another. Myself and Thelma never had no fight, no breakaway, nothing. This year will make it sixty-seven years straight of marriage,” said Mr. Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin was born on Earnest Estate, North Trace, Tableland, but grew up in Coryal Village Tamana with his four siblings and parents where he states his most memorable adventures occurred. He said Coryal was a quiet, remote area with gravel roads, no electricity and no pipe borne water. “Gone are the days of donkey cart and flambeau,” he said. He noted that one of his favourite memories was when he travelled from Toco to Port of Spain on a steamboat for the first time, however the most impactful and important event of his lifetime was his fiftieth anniversary vow renewal to wife Thelma whom he met during the wedding of a close friend.
The former Hunter and retired Road Supervisor with the Community Council indicated that his life is now quiet due to his failing eyesight, a vast difference from his days as a raved Best Village Castilian dancer. The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) joined the early birthday celebration for Mr. Benjamin held on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 and presented him with his Certificate of Honour and Achievement, birthday cake sponsored by the Kiss Baking Company and fruit hamper courtesy of NAMDEVCO.
The Ministry was proud to honour Mr. Benjamin under the Ministry’s National Centenarian Programme and encourage persons to register via the Ministry’s website at www.social.gov.tt to complete the online form or print a downloadable form for completion. Completed forms may be dropped off at the nearest Social Welfare Office or emailed to the Division of Ageing at [email protected]. For more information, persons may contact the Division of Ageing at 623 – 2608; Ext 2001 to 2009, or 800-OPIC (6742).