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Ambrose's sweet, sweet memories

By KAVELLE ANGLIN-CHRISTIE, Staff Reporter

Centenarian Ambrose Williams. - kavelle christie

AMBROSE WILLIAMS ISN'T a day over 20 in vim and vitality though he's lived over 101 years.

While priming for the interview, he insisted that his granddaughter fix him properly in the wheelchair. Surrounded by four generations of family, and looking good, Ambrose finally relaxed.

He summarised his life thus far as simply, "More good than bad ... I don't have no problem - nothing, just a little shortness of breath."

Joke and eat

In his younger days, Ambrose dabbled a bit in farming, barbering and butchering. "Now all I do is make joke and eat," he said. Ambrose was born in Sany Hill, St. Catherine in November 1903, though he insists he was actually born in September. "He must have his reason for saying that, but on his birth certificate it says November," said his granddaughter, Valerie Williamson.

Ambrose says he has lived a long life because, "The Lord keep me and I honour my father and mother." He however admitted that he used to drink, "I used to touch a little bit of everything..."

Ambrose, still isn't your typical centenarian. He says it is an absolute must that he has his ice cream everyday, and his patty whenever he can. But the confessions didn't end there: "I love coffee and I love girl. I also like meat and rice and peas, and cake."

"Yes, he has a terrible sweet tooth. Anything sweet is a must: cake, ice cream, sweets, stuff like that," said Valerie.

Ambrose's best memory is travelling to the United States on the farm work programme. "It was my first trip overseas, and I got to go on the boat. I remember that we couldn't drop anything in the sea or they would curse."

When asked what he thought of the improvements, he said, "If a donkey could talk, it would tell you that it don't carry load again."

Ambrose, however, had a few recommendations for the Government. "I don't like how the Government put people in the prison and they don't work; they should work for their own food," he said. "I don't like the violence these days too. People used to live peacefully and that not happening anymore," he added.