HOULTON, Maine — One of Houlton’s elder business statesmen is about to celebrate his 100th birthday. On Saturday, March 16, Paul McGillicuddy reaches the century milestone.
McGillicuddy was treated to a surprise party by the staff of Cardiac Rehab Center at Houlton Regional Hospital on Wednesday, March 6. The surprise was that McGillicuddy was expecting the party to be held on Saturday, March 9.
“This was kind of a dirty trick,” McGillicuddy said of the surprise party. “If I had known, I would have had my good clothes all ready.”
McGillicuddy attends fitness classes at the Cardiac Rehab Center three times a week, and in the winter months, can often be found clearing snow off other people’s cars in the parking lot.
Ingrid Black, a registered nurse in the Cardiac Rehab Center, said the idea for throwing McGillicuddy a surprise party was something everyone on the staff wanted to do.
“Paul has been coming to exercise classes here for a number of years,” she said. “We chose today because we had everyone on staff available and some of his family were able to be here.”
Black said McGillicuddy is always telling stories while working out.
“Paul is very well respected by our staff here,” Black said. “He is very caring and is such a gentleman. He actually drives himself to class three days a week. He is very special.”
