Centenarian John "Johnny" Rudder of Islington Village on the East Bank of Berbice celebrated his 104th birthday on Sunday, marking more than a century of life defined by hard work, faith, family values and service to his community.

Born on 12 July 1922, Rudder spent his early years growing up in Kortbradt Village on the East Bank of Berbice, before leaving school at the age of 15 to begin working in the sugar industry, where he dedicated much of his working life.

His son, 60-year-old Wilton Rudder, described the occasion as both an honour and a blessing.

"It is an honour, a privilege and a joy to have a father who has lived all these years. As a family, we are very proud and very honoured because so many people today wish they still had their parents around. We are overjoyed that our father has not only lived to 104, but has lived a very fulfilled life," he said.

According to Wilton, his father's impact extended far beyond his own family, noting that despite working on the sugar estate for many years, he built lasting friendships across ethnic and religious lines.

"He has lived a great social life. His relationship with the community is exceptional. With him, there is no race. He worked in the sugar estate and most of his friends are Indians," he explained.

Faith, he added, has also been a defining part of the centenarian's life. Rudder has spent most of his life as a devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was recently recognised as the church's oldest member in Guyana.

Although he was unable to provide his children with material luxuries, Wilton said his father ensured that they never lacked life's necessities.

"My father was not able to give us the best of clothing, but we always had the best to eat, and we always felt secure because he took good care of us."

Rudder's legacy also lives on through his family. He is the father of seven surviving children, four daughters and three sons, with several of them now in their seventies and eighties. Wilton believes their family's history suggests they may have inherited a gift of longevity.

"I think we have the genes of longevity, and for that we are grateful," he remarked.

Beyond his longevity, however, Wilton said it is his father's character that has left the greatest impression.

"My father is a very peaceful person. Anybody who knows him knows he is all about peace. I've never seen my father involved in any brawl, and I've never seen him abuse my mother. He always taught us good values, to respect our elders and to treat people well."

Those lessons, he said, have been passed on to future generations.

"It is something we inherited from him and passed on to our children."

Like many centenarians, advancing age has brought physical challenges. Wilton noted that while his father was reading without glasses just two years ago, his eyesight, speech and mobility have since declined, and his diet now mainly consists of soups, smoothies and other soft foods.

"That is all part of life," he said. "We are thankful for every day we have with him."

For Wilton, travelling to Guyana to celebrate his father's 104th birthday was a decision he could not miss.

"I had to make this visit to Guyana because this is 104 years. I don't know if I'll have the privilege next year, so this is truly an honour for me."