This 100-year-old Quebecer is still volunteering in his community and has no plans to stop - Action News
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This 100-year-old Quebecer is still volunteering in his community and has no plans to stop

Louis Pag, in Brome Lake Que., started volunteering in the 1990s. Weeks after he turned 100 in February, hes still at it.

'I forget about my age until somebody reminds me,' says Louis Pag

An elderly man looks at the camera. He is standing in his home. Behind him is a lamp and painting.
Louis Pag turned 100 in February. He says he often forgets his age and plans on continuing his volunteer work. (Gordon Lambie/CBC)

Sitting on his couch in his family home where he has lived alone for upward of 15 years, Louis Pag let out a laugh thinking about how his friends and family consistently check in to "make sure that I'm still alive."

"I forget about my age until somebody reminds me," Pag said with a chuckle. "All the neighbours are good to me."

On Feb. 22, he celebrated his 100th birthday with a party of 70 neighbours and friends. But the native of Brome Lake, Que., in Quebec's Eastern Townships, says he has no plans to slow down.

He's been working with the Brome Lake Food Bank since the 1980s and later became the treasurer. Pag has also been involved with Meals on Wheels and says he's still available to deliver food, if needed.

A fixture of his community, Pag says he plans on continuing his volunteer work until he can't.

"It gets me out Sometimes you meet people and you have a little visit and I enjoy it," said Pag.

A man sit sin a chair olding a cupcake with a candle on it. Behind him are birthday balloons and a birthday cake with a numbered birthday candle.
About 70 neighbours and friends showed up to celebrate Pag's birthday last month. He says he has a good community of people who support him and check in on him. (Submitted by Gary Crandall)

Gary Crandall, who's the co-ordinator at the food bank and Meals on Wheels in Lac Brome and West Bolton and also Pag's neighbour and cousin, says Pagalso took on the treasurer's role in the 90s.

"He keeps a mean set of books, let me tell you, And every cent is accounted for and the bills come in and they're paid pronto. There's no fooling around."

'Here he is at 100, delivering meals,' says neighbour

Crandallsays Pag is certainly their oldest driver and has been willing to drive farther than some other volunteers.

He says sometimes, Pag's age has come as asurprise to some elderly clients many of whomare actually quite a bit younger than him.

"They laugh at him quite a bit because here he is at 100, delivering meals to these other people," said Crandall.

He says approaching his birthday, Pag got a bit nervous about renewing his licence he had to take a medical exam and have his eyesight tested a month before his 100th birthday.

"The doctor said in spite of my age I can still drive," said Pag.

He says his days generallyconsist of reading the paper, stopping by the bank to make deposits for the food bank and balancing the books all by hand.

"I enjoy it because I enjoy handling somebody else's money," said Pag with a chuckle. "One of these days, unfortunately, I'll have to give it up."

He says his treasurer role gives him purpose especially as the organization aims to serve people in the townships who are elderly, sick, or alone.

"It helps a lot of people," said Pag. "Keeps me busy."

LISTEN |LouisPag says volunteering keeps him engaged with his community:
Louis Pag started volunteering with his local food bank when he retired in the 1980s, and he hasnt stopped. In the lead up to his 100th birthday, Pag and program coordinator Gary Crandall share some of what keeps a person involved in helping the community as they age.

Aida Wilms, 82,helped organize a surprise party for Pag with friends and neighbours in a room at the local convenience storeon Feb. 22.

Wilms was best friends with Pag's wife until she died. Wilms, who is also widowed, says now she andPaglook out for eachother.

She says Pag has always been a support, ever since she first arrived in Canada from the Philippines, 40 years ago.

"He always helped me," said Wilms.

Reflecting on her own age, Wilms laughed thinking about Pag's achievement.

"I'm not going to have a letter from the Governor General or King Charles III," chuckled Wilms. "I don't think I could reach 100."