Kenneth Hart is 104 years old and currently resides in The Pines nursing home in Rutland. He spoke about all the changes he’s seen in his life and what keeps him going.

by Gabby Blanchard

Kenneth Hart is the oldest resident at The Pines nursing home in Rutland and was thrilled to talk about his personal experiences over the last 104 years. The former Mount Holly resident with Pittsford ties was born on Dec. 7, 1920. He has three children: Jody Guimond, Margret MacDonald, and Brad Hart, and has seen an awful lot in his life.

Q. How does it make you feel that you have reached the beautiful age of 104?

A. It is kind of (pauses) numbing. Living so long and not expecting too, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Q. I know you have lived through many different times and with that came many inventions. If you could pick one, what would you say was the most amazing invention you got to experience from the beginning?

A. We got our telephone down in Mount Holly and my mum said, ‘come over here and stand on this dresser,’ and I was dumbfounded that I could hear somebody, and they were asking questions. And when we got our first car, that was a fun thing to experience.

Q. Do you remember what your first car was?

A. Ohhh (chuckles) sure, sure. A model T Ford. And I can remember we always had Thanksgiving up in Pittsford at my Aunt Mary’s when we lived in Mount Holly. That was quite a trip. One year it was snowing hard and when we went by the fairgrounds, my dad said why don’t you stand right over here, pointing to the windshield wiper. So, I handled that while we were going through the snowstorm. 

Q. If you could pick one accomplishment, what would you say is your biggest in your life?

A. Well, I think having three children, and especially now when you are in need of extra hands, the three of them are available. And I keep telling them they are one of the reasons I have lived this long because of the care they have given me.

Q. So far, what has been your favorite age?

A. I guess probably when I got my driver’s license. I think I was 18.

Q. Out of all the jobs you have had in your lifetime, what was your favorite and why?

A. I guess funeral directing. Meeting people under stress and trying to ease that stress a little bit and show them that life doesn’t stop right now.

Q. I love to travel, so I must know what was your favorite place that you traveled to, and why?

A. Ummm, that’s interesting because when you owned a funeral home back in those days, you didn’t travel much. But one of the favorite ones was when a friend had come on Malletts Bay in Burlington on July fourth for quite a few years. It was understood we would all meet – rain, shine, or otherwise. And we all looked forward to that for quite a few years. And I think a big trip was when my wife and I decided to go to Europe, mainly England and Scotland. 

Q. How did you like Europe?

A. Ohhhh, interesting (laughs). We looked for a bed and breakfast and the sign out front said, Dean’s Home. And back then, our minister at Grace Church was David Dean so, my wife, Anne, and I decided we can’t go wrong if we stay at Dean’s house and sure enough that was very enjoyable.

Q. With all your years of experience, what is the greatest piece of advice you would give?

A. Certainly enjoy and make the best of each day, starting with your family. Then comes your friends, and then come those who you enjoy meeting and greeting as time goes on.

Q. I am sure you have had an abundance of home cooked meals throughout your lifetime. However, what would you say is your favorite one of all time?

A. Well let’s see. Day in and day out I think it would be either (long pause) I’m thinking of stew! Yeah, beef stew with dumplings, and plenty of gravy. And years ago, roast pork used to be the meal on the Sunday with partially boiled potatoes and that was a favorite too.

Q. What has been your favorite era growing up?

A. Oh boy, you know that’s like living in Vermont and picking your favorite season. I look forward to each season as it approaches. I think people that move from Vermont miss something in their life.

Q. I am sure you know a lot of people but, what is one thing that would shock most to know about you?

A. Probably the wrong things that I have done, not that they were that bad, but yes, a rebel.

Q. Alright one last question, what does the future hold for Ken Hart?

A. I guess to continue living comfortably and having the children still enjoy visiting me and dear friends keeping in touch with.

Via Community News Service, in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton