A LIFELONG lover of Guinness received a surprise gift from the drinks company to toast his 100th birthday.
David McGeary, of Musselburgh, has always enjoyed the brew – Ireland’s most iconic beer, which originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St James’s Gate, Dublin, in 1759.
A sociable person, David still enjoys visits to his local pub for a pint or two of the stout, which he has drunk all his adult life and which his family believe could be the secret to his long and healthy life.
David said: “I drink Guinness because I like it and what a lovely surprise it was to receive the gift – I never expected to get this.”
Relatives contacted Guinness to let them know of David’s 100th birthday and “lifelong association” with the drink.
The firm sent him a box of Guinness goodies, including a polo shirt and t-shirt, and are keen to share his story on their website.
David, who was born on September 8, 1921, in Grove Square off Rothesay Place in Musselburgh, was one of 10 children, of whom seven lived to reach adulthood – four sons and three daughters.
His parents were David McGeary and Mary Anne (née Storrie).
David marked his birthday with a get-together with other residents at Musselburgh’s Mansfield Court Sheltered Housing, followed by a party in the town’s Ravelston House Hotellast Saturday, attended by 90 relatives and friends.
As a boy, David attended Newbigging School, now Loretto Primary School.
When he was 11, the family moved to Eskview Road in Stoneybank. He was one of only five children his age to be offered a place at Musselburgh Grammar School, which was then a fee-paying school.
His mother felt he would feel out of place because children who attended there came from “well-to-do” families, so he went to Fisherrow School instead.
In 1935, at the age of 14, he started an apprenticeship as a railway vehicle builder (wagon builder) and from the age of 16 he lived in digs in Glasgow to continue his training. When demand for wooden wagons eventually stopped, David became a miner, working in Carberry and Dalkeith collieries.
He met his wife Margaret Flockhart when he was 18 in Fords Dance Hall, just off Market Street, and they married at Inveresk Kirk in 1943.
They had seven children – five daughters and two sons. Margaret died on Christmas Eve, 2008.
Their 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren all adore David and he enjoys spending lots of time with them.
In his forties, David retrained and became a joiner and was employed at Lowes Farm in Musselburgh.
In his fifties, he moved to London to do loft conversions, only returning to Musselburgh when he was 92.
He did visit his family in the town several times a year and they had trips to London.
David continued in employment until he was in his seventies but never completely stopped working, loving DIY especially.
His daughter Connie Crawford said: “He is fortunate to be in very good health and continues to live independently, and has no carers other than help from family, which is quite exceptional at his age.
“He is very articulate and has a great memory, and entertains us with anecdotes and funny stories from the past.”
An avid reader, David still enjoys cryptic crosswords and the toughest sudoku puzzles every day.
As a young man, he spent his leisure time in local billiard halls and started what became a lifelong hobby in dog and horse racing. He was a regular at the former Wallyford and Powderhall dog tracks and also at Wimbledon dog track in London.
For his 90th birthday, the family surprised him with a meeting at Wimbledon where they had arranged for a race to be named after him and it appeared in that evening’s programme.
He also enjoyed travel and visited his daughter for holidays in South Africa, USA and France.
A spokesperson for Diageo, which owns Guinness, said: “On behalf of Guinness we hope David enjoyed his 100th birthday celebrations and are delighted to hear that he has been a lifelong fan of Guinness.
“We wish him all the best. Sláinte!”
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