Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter

Eddison Miller (second left) cuts his 100th birthday cake with granddaughter Shari Taylor, daughters, Valerie Miller, Sonia Taylor, and son Glin Miller at his 100th birthday celebration at the Terra Nova Hotel, last Saturday.

Eddison Miller is like fine wine; he just gets better with age. It's an overused cliché, but it's definitely appropriate for Miller who celebrated his 100th birthday on October 10.

Last Saturday at the Terra Nova Hotel, this mild mannered gentleman sat quietly greeting all his guests with a genuine smile that has not waned a bit in a century. By physical appearance, his age is not immediately apparent. He's able to walk with the aid of a walking stick, his hearing is assisted by a hearing aid, but his features, eyesight and frame of mind are in impeccable shape.

His secret?

"I don't make any fuss, don't worry and keep things on the brain," he said. Translation: The man leads a stress-free life.

Valarie Marshall, who has known Mr. Miller all her life, described him as a very gentle man. "Nothing bothers him. He's calm, cool, collected, he goes with the flow."

His daughter, Sonia Taylor, noted that her father was never mad at her. He would just sternly looks at her and ask, "didn't I tell you not to do that?"

Wood worker/cabinet maker

Miller spent all his life working as a wood worker/cabinet maker. He began at Surge Island Estate in his native parish of St. Thomas. He then migrated to Kingston and worked at Johnson's Wood Work on King Street, then at Things Jamaica, until he retired.

The birthday song by Sydney Murray, who turned six on Saturday, evoked a bellyfull of laughter. "Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to you, happy birthday ever people."

At 100, Miller is 'happy', but maybe not surprised as his mother lived to be 102, and his grandmother, 108.

Eddison Miller has four children, 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was presented with a centenarian cup by St. Andrew Parish organiser of the National Council for Senior Citizens, Beverly Edwards.

From left: Sonia Taylor, daughter of Centenarian Eddison Miller, with friend, Valarie Marshall, at Mr. Miller's 100th birthday celebrations.   Right: Centenarian Eddison Miller receives a hug and a centenarian cup from Beverly Edwards, St. Andrew parish organiser for the National Council for Senior Citizens.