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98-year-old B.C. man passes driving reassessment

Frank Harding has been driving for nearly eight decades
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Frank Harding, in his home in Courtenay. Photo by Scott Strasser.

On its own, the fact that Frank Harding hasnB次元官网网址檛 been in a car accident isnB次元官网网址檛 that impressive.

WhatB次元官网网址檚 impressive is that heB次元官网网址檚 been driving for almost 80 years B次元官网网址 and showing no signs of slowing down.

Following a recent medical examination, the 98-year-old Courtenay resident was recommended by his doctor to undergo a driving assessment to make sure he was still fit to get behind the wheel of his 1990 Volvo.

B次元官网网址淸The doctor] figured that due to my age, I should do a road test,B次元官网网址 said Harding, who was born in New Brunswick on Dec. 12, 1919. B次元官网网址淗e gave me a phone number and this lady took me out. It was foggy. We debated whether we should go out or not.B次元官网网址

Harding said he barely passed the reassessment the first time around due to poor weather and fog.

B次元官网网址淎ll I could do was see the road just in front of my car,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淪he put me through a spot where there was a stop sign and I didnB次元官网网址檛 see it until I was already in the intersection.B次元官网网址

Harding said he was docked 59 points throughout the assessment. The maximum amount of points allowed to be docked was 60.

Because of how narrowly he had passed, his doctor recommended he perform the test again.

Harding said the second time he took the test that he passed with no issues.

B次元官网网址淭he woman said, B次元官网网址榯ake me to Walmart.B次元官网网址 I said, B次元官网网址榳ell, thatB次元官网网址檚 not a problemB次元官网网址. So we went to Walmart.B次元官网网址

Eight decades of driving

Harding first obtained his driverB次元官网网址檚 licence in 1945, after returning to New Brunswick from the Second World War. He had served in Italy and also participated in the Liberation of Holland.

But heB次元官网网址檇 done plenty of driving before then.

Even though he had never owned a car before going overseas and had only driven tractors and other farm equipment until that point, Harding listed his occupation as B次元官网网址渢ruck driverB次元官网网址 when he first enlisted in the army.

B次元官网网址淲here I lived, I never had an occupation. I hardly knew what the word meant,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淪omeone told me that when I joined the army, all IB次元官网网址檇 be doing is walking. So when they asked my occupation, right off the top of my head, I said I was a truck driver.B次元官网网址

Because of that little white lie, Harding often found himself performing various driving assignments for his Company during his time in Europe.

He mentioned how when he first arrived in Sicily, he was presented with a truck, a big water tank and a container of powder to retrieve water for the rest of the Company.

B次元官网网址淭hat was my job B次元官网网址 supplying water for all of these men until the engineers set up our water purifiers,B次元官网网址 he said.

B次元官网网址淢y record said I was a truck driver, so if they needed a truck driver, they called on me!B次元官网网址

Frequent gym-goer

At 98, Harding attributes his continued good health to eating well and going to the Comox Recreation Centre regularly.

He said he goes to the gym five or six mornings per week, where he uses a dozen of the exercise machines.

B次元官网网址淚t gives me something to get up for. Otherwise, IB次元官网网址檇 probably stay in bed all day,B次元官网网址 he said.

His niece Cora Driscoll lives a few blocks away from Harding in Courtenay, where he lives by himself in a small bungalow.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 so positive. HeB次元官网网址檚 got such a good outlook on life,B次元官网网址 she said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 just amazing.B次元官网网址





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