Barbados’ newest centenarian, Carlington Millar in conversation with Governor General of Barbados, Sir Elliott Belgrave.
Throughout his life, centenarian Carlington Millar “lived his dreams” and on Monday he accomplished yet another.
According to his children, one of the aspirations he said he wanted to achieve was reaching 100 years and he marked this milestone with much celebration.
Surrounded by family and friends, the owner of the former Rick’s Supermarket which was located in Fairchild Street in The City, enjoyed his birthday. Joining in on the festivities was Governor General of Barbados, Sir Elliott Belgrave. He presented the island’s newest centenarian with a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne, a fruit basket and a birthday card.
Millar, who has been married for the past 46 years, is a father of 11, grandfather of 29 and great-grandfather of 11. He was described by his children, some of whom travelled from America to Barbados for his special occasion, as the “most amazing dad”, the “best father in the whole world” and a hard worker.
It was also shared by his daughter, Lisa Millar-Cumberbatch that he loved sports and he has a passion for playing Bridge.
“My father is a very special man and growing-up I always knew that. He lived his dreams. He was not boring at all. He worked very hard. So I grew up with a lot of activity. Work was a passion and then he had a passion for Bridge and he was very, very good at calculating numbers [and] board games. So he was always at the top of whatever he did,” she stated.
Millar-Cumberbatch also revealed that her dad “has always been healthy and very strong” and at 100 years old continues to be that way. She additionally spoke of his love for “proper Bajan food”, which includes meals such as rice and peas, macaroni pie and cou cou.
It was also pointed out that “he really exemplifies what it is to be a Bajan and to succeed in this Bajan dream”.
“We grew up in a supermarket business. He started with… small shops and he gradually built up until he was the person who had the third black-owned supermarket in Barbados. So we come from an entrepreneurial family. Daddy loves to sell. If something was happening at Kensington, [for example] cricket, he was down there with drinks selling. He didn’t stop. He sold and he loved being a merchant. He always calls himself a merchant and he is proud of that,” it was also pointed out.
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