5 Montrealers celebrate their 100th birthday

It’s a big day for a Montreal’s seniors home where five residents are celebrating their 100th birthday this year.

Montreal’s mayor and other local politicians were on hand for the celebration while attempting to uncover their secrets to longevity.

“They look sharp they are in good health so I ask them ‘is there a little brandy everyday’, no they just live one day at a time and just happy to be there,” Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said.

Several politicians and dozens of family members attended the milestone celebration at the Manoir du Casson in Ville St-Laurent. The two women and three men turning 100 admit they aren’t used to getting all the attention.

“I’m a bit nervous but it’s nice,” said Gérard Lortie.

The celebrating centenarians seem to have one thing in common – strong and loving families.

“He’s my best friend,” Joseph Bassili said about his father, “We have supper together every evening it’s a lot of fun to have your father alive at this age.”

Denise D’Amours also feels fortunate to have her mother around after all these years.

“I love her very much she’s a generous woman with a big heart,” said D’Amours. “She wears her name well, she loves everybody.”

After sharing some of their secrets to living a long and healthy life, it seems unanimous – if you want to live to be 100 you have to focus on the positive, work hard and live in the moment.

“It’s the attitude towards life, like it’s raining, it’s raining, it’s going to be nice tomorrow,” Lortie said.

“I never ate too much or drank too much and I work always and I think the work kept me in good condition,” Eli Bassili said.

“I live one day at a time,” Louise D’Amours said.

But the biggest centenarian celebration is yet to come since the same seniors residence expects to have 19 people turning 100 in just five years.