WEST PARIS – Elmer Waterhouse, born Jan. 30, 1908, reached the century mark last week and was honored by a large group of family and friends Sunday at the Ledgeview Nursing Home where he resides.

Present for the celebration were two sets of five generation family members, members from Elmer’s church group and friends.

Elmer Waterhouse was born in West Paris (then a part of Paris) in 1908. He grew up and received his formal education there, graduating from West Paris High School in 1925. His life’s work included included wallpapering, painting, carpenter work and logging. He also had interests in nature and spent many happy hours leading his children and grandchildren on walks through the woods. During those walks he taught his family about the types of trees, wild flowers and other subjects related to the environment.

Waterhouse spent most of his life in the Oxford Hills area, interspersed with several years in Florida, North Carolina and West Virginia, where he continued his work as a painter and carpenter.

At Sunday’s celebration, he was also honored by state Rep. Sawin Millett, who presented him with a Legislative Certificate of Sentiment in honor of his years of service to the community and on reaching the century mark.

Millett said as he presented the award, “This certificate is given to honor people in Maine who celebrate their 100th birthday. And I am proud to present this award and proud to serve the people of my district and good people like Elmer Waterhouse.” He was also presented a flag sent from Iraq by his great grandson, who is serving there.