Sailor’s 100th saluted at RSA

It was all hands on deck for Ivan Emirali’s 100th birthday party at the Warkworth RSA as friends and family travelled from around the country to celebrate the milestone with the navy veteran.

Emirali, who served as a radar operator on the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) warship HMNZS Gambia during World War Two, said it was honestly hard to believe he was 100.

“We think of 100 as a mighty age, but it’s not. I feel quite normal. I try to live an active life, you know, walking every day and do all my own housework. I don’t feel as if I’m 100 years old,” he said at the RSA.

His life in Algies Bay over the past 30 years or so is a far cry from his time on the Gambia, which was anchored in Tokyo Bay in 1945 when Japan surrendered unconditionally on board the US battleship USS Missouri.

“We were there at the end of the war as part of the British Pacific Fleet when the Japanese signed their surrender,” he said.

Emirali’s nephew, retired senior Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) commander and former Chief of Air Force Peter Stockwell said his uncle had been an inspiration for him throughout his life.

“Our connections through the military, me being in the air force, him being in the navy, was always a source of discussion for us. And I think probably created more of a bond for us than perhaps it otherwise might have been,” he said

“His son Terry and I were best mates, besides being cousins of course, we grew up together.”

During his speech to guests at the RSA Stockwell said, “What we can take out of Ivan’s life is a great example of how to live our own lives,” which was met with a warm round of applause.

Emirali’s neighbour Alan Hewetson, who lives directly across the road from him in Algies Bay, also said Ivan was inspirational.

“The guy was active until around two years ago, driving a car and walking up and down Snells Beach, which is over 2km each way. He was playing golf until he was 95. He’s still articulate and has a good memory.”

Hewetson said Emirali didn’t really drink anymore, although he poured him a glass of red wine for his birthday and “he was happy about that”.

Emirali’s granddaughter Blaire said she was very proud of her grandfather and that he had so many people who loved him.

“When I was much younger, he would always have music playing, and we would always have a little dance party after dinner. He used to lead me around – it’s one of my best memories of him.

“He said he was always gonna make it to 99 and then get shot by a jealous husband. That was his plan,” she said jokingly.

During the lunch, Warkworth RSA president Chris Jackson presented a certificate to Emirali congratulating him on his hundredth, which had been signed by ex-All Black captain Sir Wayne Shelford, and showed his navy service number, RNZN 7118.

His birthday cake was decorated with a mini HMNZS Gambia made out of icing, and flanked by letters from King Charles and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.