Allan Guiste celebrated his 100th birthday making him the newest Centenarian to join the growing list of Centenaries in the country.
Close family members and friends gathered for the occasion last Saturday with an intimate reception at his Goodwill home.
The President of Dominica, H.E Dr. Nicholas J. O. Liverpool and his wife, the officiating priest, Msgr. Eustace Thomas, Hon. Johnson Drigo who was representing Hon. Gloria Shillingford, Minister for Social Services and Hon. Julius Timothy Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau North Constituency was also present at the celebration in honour of Mr. Guiste.
Mr. Guiste sat peacefully in his chair sipping champagne and looking on while the birthday song was sung for him and one of his sons toasted to his good health.
After which the President H.E Dr. Nicholas J. O. Liverpool, Hon. Johnson Drigo and Hon. Julius Timothy personally congratulated Mr. Guiste.
Numerous gift baskets were presented to Mr. Guiste and his family.
The Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Social Services has pledged to assist in the care of Dominica’s elderly by contributing unlimited free cooking gas through Petro Caribe.
Hon. Johnson Drigo told Mr. Guiste that, “As of now the Ministry will be assisting your family [by] providing five hundred dollars every month to assist in taking care of you okay.”
The Minister also assured Mr. Guiste that the Ministry of Community Development promises to meet his needs in any way that it can.
Guiste was born on June 2, 1912. He worked as a prison officer for most of his life but was also a tailor who sewed uniforms for other prison officers and inmates.
After retiring from the prison services he continued working as a tailor, providing his skills to the Dominica Police Force.
Guiste is the father of four, Ronnie, Ronald, Clayton and Fitzroy.