Vincentian centenarian Mitchinson “Mitchie” James gives acceptance
speech after being honored with Longevity Award by the Brooklyn-based
Friends of Sion Hill in April 2019. Photo by Nelson A. King, File
Mitchinson ‘Mitchie’ James
celebrates 103rd birthday schools.nyc.gov/elections2021
Caribbean L 16 ife, FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
By Nelson A. King
While the coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic significantly restricted Vincentian
centenarian Michinson “Mitchie”
James from having an elaborate
103rd birthday celebration last Tuesday
night, it, clearly, did not stop him from
hosting a bash on Zoom.
“It was good. It was well spent,” James
told Caribbean Life in an exclusive interview
from his East Flatbush, Brooklyn
home. “I had some Zoom calls from my
family and friends from all over — St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad
and Tobago, Canada, Barbados and New
York.
“It was well spent with the family,” he
added. “I was able to see their faces. I was
lucky to see everybody’s faces.
“They told me I was like Sobers –not
giving up my wicket,” continued James,
referring to Sir Garfield Sobers, the Barbadian
born long-standing, legendary
West Indies cricket batting great and
allrounder, who held the world record of
365 runs not out until it was broken by
another West Indies batting star, Trinidadian
Brian Lara, against England at
the Antigua Recreation Grounds in the
1990s.
“What can I do? God gives me
strength, and I will use it until He
comes,” said James, a huge sports fan,
including cricket.
When asked how many more birthdays
he expects to celebrate, James erupted in
loud laughter, blurting out: “This might
be the last one, but I don’t feel so.
“It appears to me like I have more
to spend,” he said. “Oh, my God — the
way I feel — I feel very strong, no complaints.
“I had my COVID shot already,” the
centenarian disclosed. “I’m supposed to
go sometime this month for the second
one — the 20th of this month.
“I’m in God’s hands,” James added.
“He will tell me when to stay and when
not to stay. When God is ready for me, I’ll
go. I’m in his hands.”
His daughter, Hazel Morris, 65, who
lives with him, chimed in: “I’m happy
he’s still around. It’s a treasure that
us, my children, his grand-children and
great grand-children can still have him
around.”
James, who was born on Jan. 26, 1918,
had planned to have a big birthday bash,
when he turned 103.
Morris — who just retired in December
from the Billing Department at the
nearby Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
in East Flatbush after 32 years — said
the family had also planned to have a
huge celebration for his dad in September
but had to scrub it because of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the celebration, expected
to take place in an unidentified park in
Brooklyn, would have attracted relatives
far and wide, including Canada and St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.
In late October, James told Caribbean
Life that he was still going strong and
that he was not going anywhere soon.
“My doctor was surprised with me” he
said. “The doctor told me I’m alright. My
heart is strong.”
James said he’s enjoying life, eating
and sleeping well, and watching his
favorite sports on television, which also
includes boxing.
On eating, James said he loves “pigtail
cook-up with rice” and “chicken wings
in pelau.” Pelau is a favorite dish among
Vincentians.
Run.
Serve.
Lead.
Apply for a Seat
on a New York City
Education Council
EDUCATION COUNCILS
Department of
Education
OWN IN ONE
OF FLORIDA’S PRIME
REAL ESTATE MARKET!
/elections2021
