Cayman oldest male celebrates 105th birthday

Cayman’s oldest man, shoemaker and saxophonist Wellesley Howell, turned 105 on Tuesday.

“Only God almighty can answer the question of my long life; it’s in his hands,” said Howell as he worked in his shop on his birthday.

Howell, who was born on 7 Jan. 1915, in Chesterfield, St. Mary in Jamaica, has seen the world change dramatically during his lifetime.

“If I live to see more years, I will try to do what I can. Anything my body can help me to do, I will do it,” he said. “I would be grateful if the Master gives me a little longer but I’m not entering into that. I leave it in his hands.”

In the doorway of his Shedden Road shop, which has been open for 42 years, friends and family stopped by to congratulate him on his long life Tuesday, and Howell had a welcoming smile for each one of them.

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