SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Summerset Manor resident and Second World War veteran Percy DesRoches won’t be able to ring in his 100th birthday with his family.
Instead, Jenna DesRoches, one of his granddaughters, came up with a creative way to celebrate while social distancing. She and her cousins are asking the public to send him birthday cards for his special day, on April 18.
“He’s not really one for recognition, but I think it’s important,” said Jenna. “He’s around for his 100th, so we should try to make as big of a deal as we can for him, with COVID and everything.”
This is my grandfather, Percy DesRoches. He is a WWII veteran, who will be turning 100 years old on April 18th, 2021!...
Posted by Jenna DesRoches on Saturday, March 20, 2021
Jenna lives in Woodstock, Ont., and hasn’t seen her family members on the Island since summer 2019. She had hoped restrictions would be eased enough to be able to be there in person for her grandfather’s birthday, since the family had been anticipating this milestone for a while.
“(My family) is a big part of my life,” said Jenna. “And it’s just really crummy that I can’t go there.”
Another of Percy's grandchildren, Riley DesRoches, thinks the birthday cards are a great idea.
“He’ll be 100 years old, which is quite a long time,” he said. “We can’t get together as a family to celebrate with him. Something had to be done, and I think Jenna had a brilliant idea.”
Percy may be reaching triple digits next month, but Riley says his grandfather is as sharp as ever and still loves to laugh and crack jokes.
“He’s got a really positive outlook on life, which isn’t necessarily something you would expect with someone at that age and in that situation.”
When Percy turned 99 last year, the family organized a drive-by party. Summerset Manor staff brought him to the window, where he watched his relatives go past with signs wishing him a happy birthday.
“He was quite happy with us, last year,” said Riley. “So, I’m excited to see what he thinks about this year.”
Jenna said she initially wanted to get 100 cards for 100 years, but after seeing how many shares her post has on social media, thinks it would be great if Percy could receive twice that.
Where to send:
- Percy DesRoches
Summerset Manor
15 Frank Mellish St.
Summerside, PE
C1N 0H3
The initiative is not limited to family – anyone who wants to help bring some cheer to her grandfather is free to do so.
“Outside of the family, even if we got a couple of people saying ‘heard about your hundredth birthday’ and how happy they are for him, I think any number would be awesome,” said Riley.
Jenna said the family has not yet told Percy about the birthday cards, and hopes he’ll be pleasantly surprised when they start to come in.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to happen that we’re going to actually be there in person,” she said. “So, I just figured it would be a small contribution to hopefully make his day special and memorable.”
Kristin Gardiner is the Journal Pioneer's rural reporter.