Former Mayor of Hartlepool John MacRae celebrates 100th birthday in lockdown with video call to family

John MacRae will spend his centenary at the Hartfields Assisted Living complex, where has he lived since the death of wife Grace six years ago, today, Thursday, April 16.

John spent most of his life on the Headland and served as a policeman before joining RAF Coastal Command as a Navigator on B24 Liberators during the war.

On his return from service, he switched career after the birth of his twin sons and became a ‘man from the Pru’.

“John was was a councillor and served as Mayor in 1988, a time he remembers with great pride,” said daughter-in-law Rose.

“He was subsequently made Alderman.”

John moved to Hartfields in 2014 and will celebrate today with staff, though son Ian, Rose and the family will be unable to join him because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Ian’s brother David sadly died two years ago, but John’s four grandchildren and his eight great-grandchildren travel from Kent, London, Buckinghamshire and Nottingham to visit him.

“Each subsequent generation has learned a great love of Hartlepool, Verill’s Fish & Chips and Pollymogging on the battery rocks,” said Rose.

“John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease about four years ago. Until that point, he was still going to the gym regularly.

“If he had not had Parkinson’s, he would not have fallen and hurt his hip. If not for that, he would still have his mobility.

“So the last few years have been tough, but he is still all there.”

The family had been looking forward to joining John to mark his landmark: “We had a family party planned – we had a room booked downstairs and it was going to be a really fun celebration,” said Rose.

“He was really looking forward to it – we asked him, ‘Do you want a party?’ and he was really up for it.”

The staff at the home are still planning to throw a party and the family will join John through Facetime on his iPad to mark the occasion.