Watch: Airdrie resident poised to celebrate 103rd birthday

On December 13 Airdrie resident and World War II veteran Harry Shierman will celebrate his birthday. But this birthday is unique in that he is one of a handful of Airdronians who will have passed the milestone of living over a century. Shierman will be 103 come Tuesday. 

Family and friends gathered at the Airdrie Care Community on Saturday for a surprise birthday bash for the centenarian. One of Shierman's sons - as he has four of them and at least 10 great-grandchildren, Henry, who spoke at the celebration, said that he couldn't have asked for a better father.

"I know my dad is a believer in the Word, the word that says that as you honour your mother and father, your days will be long," Shierman's son said. "I used to watch him, and he honoured his mom and dad very well. So, I guess now he's been blessed for it."

Though Shierman has lived over a century, he is witty and loves to challenge friends to a good game of crib. 

Harry Shierman's parents came from Russia to Canada in 1908 and would settle in Calgary. 11 years later he was born in the General hospital in Calgary. His son continues to live on the family frame ranch in Kathryn, Alberta which was started in 1919. Shierman, up until this past fall lived in his home in Calgary.

"He had been living on his own and doing everything on his own, until he finally said, 'I think it's time I had somebody cook for me'," his son said.

Airdrie resident Harry Shierman will be celebrating a very special birthday on December 13 - he will be 103. (Photo by Claire Spencer)

According to Statistics Canada, in its 2021 Census of Population, there were only five people in Airdrie who were 100 years and over.

In 1919, Canada's Prime Minister was Sir Robert Laird Borden and American President Woodrow Wilson was given the Nobel Peace Prize for leading and brokering the Treaty of Versailles. And as far as technology goes, in 1919, Dial telephones were introduced by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.

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