Darley resident Geoff Nelson has many reasons to smile, celebrating his 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family recently.
The Susan Barton House Aged Care resident turned 100 on Friday, August 1.
His family and friends marked the occasion with an afternoon tea at the aged care centre.
Geoff was born in Brunswick on August 1, 1915. He was the third child for Sydney and Ernestina Carolina Olga Nelson.
He met his wife, Betty, while working at the Royal Women’s Hospital. He was working as a plumber, while Betty was a nurse.
They married in 1952 in Numurkah, before moving to Pascoe Vale.
The have two daughters, Jenny and Robyn, five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jenny said her dad was most proud of his family and marriage to Betty.
She said he had a varied working life, with roles including a sanitary and domestic hot water engineer, barman, building and grounds maintenance foreman, regional airport maintenance and a stint working at Joseph Allison Funeral Directors where he picked up the deceased, embalmed and prepared bodies, drove hearses and manufactured coffins.
Jenny said her dad played AFL for Brunswick United for two years but suffered an injury that ended his time on the pitch. He was also the club’s assistant secretary,
He played bowls at The Avenue Bowling Club and Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club.
Geoff was also a member of the Freemasons for 73 years and was heavily involved with the Freemasons Homes.
