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The veteran celebrated his 101st birthday on Thursday, carrying the same humour and positivity that his family says defined a life spanning the Great Depression, war service and more than a century of change.

At 101, Te Puke’s Ronald “Ron” Abey still enjoys a whisky, a laugh and winding up his daughter whenever he gets the chance.

The veteran celebrated his 101st birthday on Thursday, carrying the same humour and positivity that his family says defined a life spanning the Great Depression, war service and more than a century of change.

His daughter Cheryl Abey told the Bay of Plenty Times her father remained the same man he had always been: quick with a joke, positive by nature and determined not to let age define him.

“He’s got a wicked sense of humour and loves to have me on, until I realise that he’s having me on,” Cheryl said.

Born in Gore in 1925, Abey spent his childhood on a small farm during the Depression before leaving school at 14 to work on farms.

NZ Herald

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