Sedgley family man Ted celebrates turning 100
A beloved father and grandfather from the Black Country has celebrated turning 100 – surrounded by friends and family in a post-lockdown celebration.
Edward Saul, known as Ted, hit the major milestone on July 26. He had a small party with his family and carers at The Firs Care Home in Sedgley.
His youngest son Steve, who also lives in Sedgley, said: "The care home were just brilliant – they went above and beyond and we can't speak highly enough of them. Dad almost didn't want to come out, but once he did, he didn't want to leave. We had a cake, and the carers had decorated the room and he had all these cards. He loved it, and it was wonderful to celebrate together.
"He's a real family man. He loved my mom and was married to her for 40 happy years – he did so much for us, and me and my brother often say how lucky we are to have had parents like them."
Mr Saul was born in 1920 in Cardiff. An only child, he moved to the Black Country when he was a teenager as there was more work in the area.
He was a welder, and finished top of the country when he completed his specialist qualification in the practice. He worked for The BOC Group as a welder when the company was based by Wolverhampton Railway Station before being self-employed for about 15 years until retirement.
Mr Saul served in the Second World War and spent the war years in the Royal Navy, serving in the Middle East and Egypt – but his sons said he doesn't like to talk about his experience during that time. He was also a keen darts player during his youth.
He married Nora Lissimore, from Tipton, in 1950 in Wolverhampton and had two sons – Mike in 1957 and Steve in 1963.
Mrs Saul died 30 years ago and Mr Saul continued living in their Sedgley home before moving to Firs Care Home eight years ago.
Steve added: "It was hard during lockdown. We couldn't see dad at the start but then the care home started arranging patio visits, where we could see him outside. But it was really lovely to get together for his birthday. Me and my wife Adele were there – she has done so much for my dad, he would just refer to her as his daughter. And then my brother and his wife, and the grandchildren.
"He has two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Dad's a bit hard of hearing so struggles sometimes but you could tell he was having a lovely time."
Steve joked his dad's secret to such a long life was "Jack Daniels".
"He's not far off from having one every night," he said. "But he does have some good genes. His mother lived until 102 and his grandfather lived until 92 which was quite unusual then.
"He was just such a great dad. The things you remember when you were young. I played cricket when I was a lad and dad drove me all over the place to different cricket matches. When you get older and have kids of your own you really appreciate what your own parents did. He used to take me down to Wolves when I was a lad too - he was a great family man."
