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Celebrating seven decades of marriage

Cecil and Agnes Bradbury celebrated their 70th anniversary last week at Peace Portal Lodge.
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Ceceil and Agnes Bradbury celebrated seven decades of marriage at a surprise party thrown for them last Tuesday at Peace Portal Residence.

Sitting among a group of friends at Peace Portal Lodge, Cecil and Agnes Bradbury looked like the king and queen of the prom.

Friends and family members came up to congratulate the couple, patting Cecil, 93, on the back and giving Agnes, 87, a kiss on the cheek.

It was a big day for the longtime South Surrey couple, as May 8 marked 70 years of commitment together, 20 of which they have spent on the Semiahmoo Peninsula.

"It's a big milestone," daughter Bonnie Morrison said.

Morrison, with help from the staff at Peace Portal Lodge, threw her parents a surprise anniversary party at the retirement community, complete with a performance from Happy Gang Glee Club, which Agnes is a member of.

Before the show began, Agnes grabbed Cecil's hand and smiled for photos – another addition to the vast collection that has accumulated for seven decades.

The two met while Agnes worked at Oben Bakery in Vancouver, Morrison said.

"Dad came in and he said he fell in love with that little redhead," she said, noting that the nickname 'Red' stuck with Agnes throughout the years.

Cecil was then conscripted during the Second World War, opting for the navy "so he didn't have to wear a tie," Morrison laughed, noting he was an excellent swimmer.

While back on a 20-day leave from the HMCS St. Laurent, Cecil and Agnes wed, right before Cecil was called back to war, leaving his new wife for a year.

Upon returning, Cecil was hired on with Wolfe Chevy, where he designed the first assembly body shop at the time. He remained a manager at Wolfe Chevy until he retired.

As for Agnes, her passion was music.

"She was into singing. Her and her sisters were called The Gang, and they would perform at the Kitsilano Showboat and seniors' facility around the area," she said. "Dad was more of a sports nut in his free time."

One of their mutual passions was their family, Morrison said.

"We're a very close-knit family," she said. "Dad adores his grandkids."

Each year, the family comes together to celebrate Cecil and Agnes' anniversary with a trip to Montgomery Cottage for fish and chips, but this year, opted to make it a more special occasion with a big party at Peace Portal, where Cecil resides.

And while Agnes was not able to join in the singing this year, sitting beside her husband, flocked by her grandson and friends, she looked quite content to simply enjoy the music and the company.