MANCHESTER:
FARMING WAS his passion, and though 99 years and retired Altimont Augustus Loney still wishes for the days of being in his field and tending to his crops.
"I have spent all my days farming," said Mr. Loney, who is also known affectionately in his community as Mass Alti.
His chosen career served him well, giving him sufficient earnings to provide a home for himself, his wife who passed away 18 years ago and 10 children, two of whom are also deceased.
Mr. Loney says he still remembers the love and affection he and his wife shared.
Born December 25, 1900 at Berry Hill, Manchester, Mass Alti spent his early years away from his parents being cared for by different couples. As a result of his poor circumstances, he was never educated.
For him schooling was only a dream, he told Senior Life. But he has made it a reality for his children, all 10 of whom have received formal education, he said.
One of his children, Carmen Loney, described her father as a very loving gentleman who regarded the education of his children as paramount.
As a youngster, it was inevitable that Mr. Loney would end up tilling the soil. His days then began at 4:00 a.m. when he would rise to accompany his father to the field, where together they would tend to their animals, cultivate and care for their crops.
After his father passed away, Mr. Loney continued with the routine, eventually developing an affinity with the soil and then growing to love the process of producing for his needs.
He remembered having to travel over 20 miles to the market to sell his produce.
"In those times if you made a sale of 40 shillings for the day you would be one of the happiest persons," said the retired farmer who believes that agriculture is the "back bone" of any country.
Asked what has made him endure for 99 years, Mr. Loney responded with a smile: "Maybe 'cause I was born on Christmas Day," he said.
Mr. Loney now resides at Sunset Gardens in Manchester, having moved there four years ago.
