Piton the Key to Long Life? Annius Turns 106!

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Centenarian Annius Isidore Sonny with his favourite drink.

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]amily and friends are sending birthday greetings to Annius Isidore Sonny, also known as Edward Sonny or Tata. Annius, who turns 106 next month, was born in Bar St. Joseph on September 3, 1911 to the late Egyptian Sonny and William Shoreshork. He married Marie, also known as Aunty May, who passed away in December 1986.

Annius has been blessed to live to see five generations scattered across the globe from Saint Lucia to England, The United States, Canada, Switzerland, Cayenne, Barbados, and Germany – and he’s surely lived a full life with 11 children (5 deceased), 39 grandchildren, 102 great-grand-children, and 19 great-great-grand-children! 

Relatives say Annius grew up in a family with two sisters (one of whom is still alive) and six brothers. His surviving sister goes by the name of Theresa Felicita Sonny (age 94) and resides in Bar St. Joseph.

His family attributes his longevity to hard work, a positive attitude, and his diet and lifestyle: “When he milked the cows he would drink the first set.” He worked in various professions, including on the cane field, in a sugar factory, as a security guard, and as a farmer.

A special message from Annius’s family:

“Birthday wishes and blessings come from his surviving children: Octavia Sonson-JnBaptiste aka Mathurin, Veronica Sonny aka Madgree, Alexander Sonny aka Curtis, Augustina Sonny-Joseph aka Collitta, Mary Sonny aka Lucy, Henrietta Longville aka Maud, sister Theresa Sonny aka Ada, all his grand-, great-grand-, and great-great-grand children, sons-in-law Felix Longville aka Champ and Anthony JnBaptist aka Apartan, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, Godchildren, friends and well-wishers.

“The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to all those who have helped to take care of Tata, especially his family at Bar St. Joseph and the Marian Home staff, n particular nurse Maura Bernard, who always goes above and beyond!”

The STAR wishes Annius and his family all the best, and as many more years as his heart desires!