Bernard Luces celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family on Sunday, July 1. To commemorate the milestone, a special thanksgiving Mass was held at the St Ann’s RC Church, St Ann’s.  Officiating at the Mass was parish priest Fr Joe Harris, who preached the theme of brotherly love in his homily.

The celebration continued with a luncheon at the ballroom of the Cascadia Hotel, followed by performances by talented well-wishers, who paid musical tribute to the centenarian known fondly as “Uncle B” and “Uncle Luce”.

The theme for the event, Joie de Vivre, also paid tribute to the passion for life Luces is known to have displayed over the last century. His niece Mercedes La Borde said, “He held a lifetime dream to see his 100th birthday. We are happy that he fulfilled his dream and are thankful that the occasion met him in excellent health and high spirits!” 

Sisters Sylvia Seijas (left) and Eileen Antoine share a light moment at the Cascadia luncheon with their brother, centenarian of the moment - Bernard Luces.

Luces dedicated 50 years of his life to membership in the Sacred Heart Church Traditional Choir. He served as accountant, right up until retirement age with Colonial Life Insurance Company.

As a longstanding member of La Petite Musicale, his roles as co-founder, treasurer and guitarist yielded meaningful contribution to local culture. For this, he was awarded the Hummingbird Bird Silver medal in 1996 and given the title of honorary member of the folk choir in his later years.

Relatives and friends from not only Trinidad and Tobago, but also from North and South America, Europe, South Africa and Australia shared the momentous occasion.

Born in 1907, long before the fax machine and the Internet was even invented, Bernard received email greetings from well wishers across the globe.  President George Maxwell Richards and Her Excellency conveyed their congratulations via an official letter. 

On hand to “party” with their brother, Bernard were sisters Sylvia Seijas and Eileen Antoine, 98 and 92 years old respectively. The celebration, notwithstanding a belated one to accommodate overseas invitees incorporated the presentation of commemorative items by Percy Farrell of the Classical Guitar Society (of which Luces was also a longstanding member) and La Petite Musicale.

 The members of the internationally renowned choir performed a selection of their signature pieces, including Mangoes, and Ebouille to the delight of Luces and his overseas guests in particular.