‘Finding a wonderful partner’ is secret to long life says 100-year-old Frome resident

Retired Navy veteran Jim Cush celebrated his 100th birthday last month and had a visit from the mayor of Frome, Councillor Andy Jones, to mark the occasion. 

Jim celebrated his 100th birthday at Care UK’s Rossetti House on Welshmill Lane, and shared his secrets to living a long healthy life including ‘finding a wonderful partner’ and the creation of the NHS after the war. 

Jim married his late wife, Edna May in 1950 and the pair were married for 67 years. They met while they were both serving in the Navy. He said, “We were totally in love all our lives. Edna meant everything to me, she was wonderful.” 

The couple have four children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who regularly visit Jim at Rossetti House. 

Jim said: “I never thought I’d be celebrating my 100th birthday. It’s down to the great care, support and love from my family and the people around me”. 

Jim was born in Loftus, North Yorkshire, on the 26th July 1924. Due to World War II breaking out, he was unable to apply for his dream scholarship at Liverpool’s School of Art to study architecture. Instead, he left school at 16 and worked at Skinningrove Steelworks in the laboratory where his father also worked.  

Despite securing a job, Jim was keen to enlist in the army but was turned down several times as he was needed at the steelworks. Eventually, he was enlisted into the Navy at the end of the war in 1946 and was based in Fife, Scotland, until he completed his service in 1949.  

After the war, he returned to the steelworks and worked there until he retired at 57 in 1981. He also had a part-time job as an auctioneer in Saltburn.  

Jim’s passion for the arts never dwindled, he loved to draw, especially black and white sketches and architectural drawings. He also considered himself somewhat of a handyman, restoring a large Georgian house and garden in Brotton, North Yorkshire, to save it from being demolished and making it his family home for over 40 years.  

Jim’s handy work also extended to converting an old school bus and later an ambulance into campervans for his family. He loved driving on remote mountain roads and wild camping with his wife and children.  

On the big day, the team at Rossetti House adorned the home with balloons and banners, complete with a birthday cake specially prepared by head chef, Lukasz Smykowski.   

Philip Vale, general manager at Rossetti House, said, “It was an honour to celebrate Jim’s birthday. He is a beloved resident at Rossetti House, and we all had a lovely time acknowledging this tremendous milestone. He even had a visit from the mayor! 

“Everything we do centres around supporting residents to live fulfilling lives, which is why we are always eager to mark special occasions. Jim’s 100th birthday was no exception, and it was a delight to hear his great advice for living a long and happy life!” 

For more information on Rossetti House, please call home admissions advisor Helen Cross on 01373 887988, email helen.cross@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/rossetti-house.