Frank Bonus with his two granddaughters Rachael (left) and Annabelle. Picture: Tony Gay.

Keep fit classes help Hornsey man reach 100

by Tim Lamden Tuesday, August 7, 2012
10:34 AM

A life-long Hornsey resident who trains three times a week at the gym has celebrated 100 years of life.

Frank Bonus marked the momentous birthday with a gathering of friends and family at North Bank, Muswell Hill Methodist Church, in Pages Lane, Muswell Hill, on Saturday.

The grandfather-of-two was born at home in St Joseph’s Road, which is now the Lightfoot Estate, on August 3, 1912.

Asked the secret to his longevity, he said: “I’m still capable of doing most of the things I was doing at 80. I go to keep fit classes three times a week.

“If you look after the body, the body will look after you.”

As a boy, Frank worked for Dunn’s bakery in The Broadway, Crouch End, helping to deliver bread by horse and cart.

Leaving school at 14, he worked in the insurance industry for 50 years, marrying his late wife Gladys along the way.

The couple had one son, Malcolm, 63, and lived in Park Road for most of their 47-year marriage before Gladys passed away in 1988.

During the Second World War, Frank worked for the Royal Signals and gathered intelligence for British forces by listening in to German communications.

At the age of 11, he sang in a choir which performed at the opening of the historic British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium in 1924.

Reflecting on the Olympic Games returning to London after 64 years, he said: “I wouldn’t wish to be anything else but British, the Games have helped to bring people together.”