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SAIT's oldest alumnus celebrates 104th birthday

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It’s not often you hear of someone living beyond 100 years of age.

However, Calgarian Clarence Hollingworth celebrated his 104th birthday on March 3. He is the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s oldest known alumnus and has lived in the city almost his entire life, saying the population was just 50,000 when he moved from his birthplace, what is now Winnipeg, Man., in 1919.

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Hollingworth spoke to Postmedia on Thursday afternoon in his room at Millrise Seniors Village. He rocks slowly in his navy blue reclining chair, next to a bouquet of flowers and balloons in celebration of his birthday, sharing stories that span more than a century — including those about his service in the Second World War, his marriage of 43 years and his deep connection to SAIT.

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His grandchild, Sheila McKillop, who visits almost every day, joins us in his room. Hollingworth refers to McKillop as his “right-hand man” and muses about the fact that you never say “right-hand woman.” From the sounds of it, Hollingworth has always been an advocate for women’s rights and has little patience for people who treat women with disrespect.

He’s a bit of a daredevil and has escaped death more than once.

“When I was 23 I should have been killed,” said Hollingworth. He was a pilot in Calgary and remembers the engine stopped working mid-flight. He remained calm, saying that’s how he survived. “I landed that plane in that crumby environment so gently that I never even scratched the paint.

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“That kind of stuff doesn’t bother me. You know how people are afraid of the dark? I never was,” he said.

Shortly after, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy in the submarine branch during the Second World War. When the underwater tank he was stationed in came to port for repairs, he was quickly moved to another submarine because their ASDIC (Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee) officer fell ill. He never returned to the previous submarine, which he said was never seen again.

Clarence Hollingworth, who turned 104 in March 2019, is photographed around the time he served in the Second World War. Supplied photo.
Clarence Hollingworth, who turned 104 in March 2019, is photographed around the time he served in the Second World War. Supplied photo.

During the conversation, Hollingsworth cracks many jokes and McKillop shares memories of him playing pranks. Family is a huge part of his life.

Hollingworth had four daughters, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He said the hardest part of living to this age was seeing his loved ones pass away. He paused for a minute after speaking about the passing of his wife at 64-years-old before quickly saying, “but I’m tough.”

Hollingworth has many incredible stories to share, a standout being his century-long connection to SAIT.

In honour of his 103rd birthday last year, SAIT created the Clarence Hollingworth Scholarship to help electrical students and awarded him an honorary science degree in 2015, just a few months after his 100th birthday. At just six years old Hollingworth saw them lay the cornerstone of what is now the Heritage building, went forward to attend public school there and later returned to SAIT as an industrial electricity student.

After serving in the Second World War and working as an electrician, he returned to SAIT and was an instructor for 28 years.

When asked if there’s a secret to a long, healthy life Hollingworth said there isn’t one.

However, he did say “feeling good is the best medicine you can have.”

He plans on living for many more years.

“Old age is not for sissies. You have to be pretty tough. And I’m tough.”

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