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Russell Smith celebrates 100th birthday and a century in Halifax

Russell Smith says the key to a long and healthy life is being prepared to adapt to change. That, and daily exercise.

"Everything isn't finished, it's a matter of rearranging the conditions of life," he said from his room at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building.

"But not many people want to do that. They go through life in one spot. I've had a number of changes. And they've all worked out."

Smith will be sharing some of his stories at Stairs Memorial United Church on Sunday. After the 10:30 a.m. service, there will be a reception to celebrate his birthday.

Smith's determination led him from service during the Second World War to a long career in real estate. In the 60s, he pioneered development in Clayton Park. When he started with L.E. Shaw Ltd. there were five homes. They began building up to 70 homes a year, all of them on spec.

"Most people thought there were too many subdivisions around, they didn't think this thing would blossom out. But I had the faith in the people that owned it and working together," he said.

"That was my greatest accomplishment."

Age certainly hasn't slowed Smith's mind. He follows politics closely and still offers real estate advice — buy, don't rent. He says 10 decades of experience have shown him markets go up, eventually.

But he cautions young people not to overextend, even if markets seem strong at the moment.

'We can achieve'

Another proud achievement: Smith was married for 63 years. The key to the successful marriage? Having a strong partnership, he said.

"It's like a business, if you have good partners and good directors and one individual is thinking along the same lines and objectives in life that you have, put the two of them together and they can do wonders," he said.

Smith's spirit is an inspiration to Lorna Randall. Long-time friends, her great-grandmother travelled from Scotland to Canada with Smith's grandmother.

She says he's a dedicated member of the Stairs church, of which they're both members.

"We've never known anyone who is that supportive," she said.

"It's the young people he's so interested in, it's the Sunday school children, it's the youth. It's the citizens of our church from next year, 10 years from now, that he's so interested in. Whenever he has the chance to boost a young person, he does."

Smith isn't one to stay still, let alone nap. He continues to volunteer with the veterans' council.

He said he's still amazed by the changes he sees in his city and the opportunities people now have.

"We have so much advancement in all walks of life. We can achieve. Go ahead, it's all there. It's just a matter in how it's managed," he said.

"I don't worry about what's going to happen in the future. I think we have enough brains that it will go on greater and bigger than ever."