Family gets together to stay apart at 100th birthday party in days of physical distancing

It takes an awful lot of lung capacity to blow out 100 candles, so A.J. Shaw's granddaughter placed a single candle on the table in front of him instead.

After one big exhale from Shaw, all that was left of the flame was a wisp of smoke.

"I'm full of hot air," the newly minted centenarian cracked Thursday, making his entire family belly laugh.

This moment was set in motion six weeks ago when the Shaw family decided to bring Shaw home from the Lynn Valley Care Centre.

The family says Shaw received excellent care, but when the facility was hit by a COVID-19 outbreak, he moved into his son John's home in North Vancouver.

Two weeks later, John's soon-to-be 98-year-old mother-in-law also joined the household.

"We call my house the Colwood Care Centre and Spa," John said, laughing.

"It really wasn't a tough decision."

John says both seniors have perked up since they've moved in.

Planning a party

Physical distancing rules made planning Shaw's party difficult, but the family was determined to mark his milestone birthday with a proper celebration.

Grandchildren and their partners all formed their own bubbles — packing their own food and setting up lawn chairs on the lawn and patio — keeping a safe physical distance from one another as John and the other members of his household stayed inside.

As they opened the doors and windows and sang happy birthday, other family members from as far away as India joined the family via video chat.

Shaw's grandson Brian says the entire family is grateful they're able to get together for a party, even if it's a little unconventional.

"We're trying our best to celebrate and keep our distance," he said.

"We want to keep them healthy."

A.J. Shaw

Shaw has a lot in common with the miniature mad scientist that sits on top of his birthday cake along with beakers in brightly coloured frosting.

He graduated from the University of British Columbia's chemical engineering program in 1944 before he joined the army and remains passionate about science.

"We watch Cosmos together, which is a 1970s astrophysics show," John said. "He's still engaged and interested in it. Not bad for 100."

Shaw loved learning about clean energy, which is why his family set up an endowment fund in his name that pays a $5,000 scholarship each year to a graduate student at the Faculty of Applied Science.

"We thought that was a great way to keep his memory alive," John said.

In addition to the scholarship, Brian says his grandfather will also be remembered for his taglines, including his go-to response when someone mentions that he's bald.

"He says grass doesn't grow on a busy street," Brian said.

"I think everybody can learn from him."

Pearls of wisdom

John says he still picks up pearls of wisdom from his dad, such as when they were chatting earlier this week about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shaw told him that after living through the Great Depression, Second World War and Cuban Missile Crisis, he thought the coronavirus was just another major world event.

"It kind of puts it in perspective when you've been there and done that, you know?" John said.

"Let's just suck it up and keep on going. It helps put everything in perspective."

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