At 101, Jacob Falk has been told he is the oldest resident of Niverville. Despite his age, Mr. Falk’s daughter-in-law Anne says that he is still remarkably hale and hearty.

Jacob was born in Russia in 1920. He lost his father at a young age and at nine years old he, his siblings, and his mother emigrated to Canada. The Mennonite Central Committee sponsored the Falk family, which allowed them to settle on a farm near Niverville.

Jacob remained in the Niverville area after getting married and having five children. The family attended the Niverville Mennonite Brethren Church.

One of his proudest accomplishments was collecting donations for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in the Niverville and surrounding area for several years.

Jacob now resides at the Heritage Life Personal Care Home, and he feels loved and cared for by the staff there.

“He is very alert, and at his age he still recognizes all his children and beams when we come to visit him,” says Anne.

Jacob’s hearing is somewhat decreased, but Anne says that when he can’t hear what someone is saying they just write it down for him.

He also enjoys playing games. Checkers and Yahtzee are his favourites and he especially loves rolling sixes.

Another favourite use of time is reminiscing and looking at old pictures so he can share his memories with others.

“He is quite a jokester at his age and loves to laugh,” Anne says. “He has become more fun with age.”

Current affairs remain important to Jacob and he keeps on top of them. He has been particularly saddened by news of the war in Ukraine.

Jacob has kept up with politics over the years, and he was thrilled to once have his picture taken with Vic Toews, who was the MP for Provencher at the time.

“We were blessed to have Ted Falk and Ron Schuler attend a dinner for [Jacob’s] one hundredth birthday party, along with John Funk, deputy mayor of Niverville. So we had federal, provincial, and local governments represented.”

On June 26, Jacob Falk will turn 102 years old.