FARMINGTON — This Father’s Day was extra special for Dr. Paul Floyd as family and friends gathered in celebration of his 100th birthday and a 70th wedding anniversary for him and his wife, Emily.

This Father’s Day also marked the 100th observance of Father’s Day, said Floyd’s son Carl.

“I heard that this morning — that the first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910,” he said, explaining that meant on the day his father was born the nation was observing its first Father’s Day.

Marking 100 years, Floyd received a letter from President and Michelle Obama that was proudly displayed during a Sunday reception held in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington.

He also joined honored centenarians this week as one of Willard Scott’s birthdays on the “Today Show.” Former weatherman Scott recognizes 100th-year birthdays across the nation with a photo on a Smuckers label and an interesting fact about “what keeps them young.”

Floyd’s son, Carl, submitted his name several weeks ago for the upcoming 100th birthday and told producers how his father liked to “tinker on things.”

Scott announced that Floyd keeps busy inventing things such as a back scratcher made out of an old electric sander and a bike handle.

Carl also told the producers about Floyd, an ophthalmologist, creating a foot-controlled wheel that turned the pages of the eye exam 20 feet away in his home office on Middle Street in Farmington, where he practiced until he was 65, retiring in 1975. That portion wasn’t used on the birthday segment, but his father often tinkered and created rather than using fancy medical equipment, he said.

He also created large solar panels for the couple’s camp at Clearwater Lake and an aluminum solar cooker where brownies and other items were baked, he said.

He was an active gardener up until he was 95, said daughter Penny.

Floyd, born in East Machias in 1910, attended Bowdoin College and then Harvard Medical School. After his residency in Massachusetts, he came to Farmington to begin his practice in 1946, Carl said. Floyd’s wife, Emily, a nurse, served as his surgical assistant and helped with the eye, ear and throat practice run from their home.

The couple married on June 15, 1940, in Colebrook, N.H., said Carl, the oldest of four children. Their other children include David, Brian and Penny, and they have four grandchildren.

Floyd was presented with a plaque from the Farmington Rotary Club by Doug Ibarguen on Sunday for his 63 years as a member, joining in December 1947, Ibarguen said.

State Sen. Walter Gooley presented Floyd with a legislative sentiment for his birthday and Reps. Thomas Saviello and Lance Harvell presented one to the couple for their 70th anniversary.

The couple have been active in organizations throughout their years in Farmington. Along with Rotary, Paul Floyd kept an active interest in the town library and was a member of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, Carl said.

Emily Frizzell Floyd, 93, has served on several town committees and boards, as a SAD 9 school board member and has been very active in Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary. Both have been supportive of the hospital, Carl said.

Emily is also known for her musical abilities, serving as music director at Shorey Chapel in Industry for many years, said daughter Penny. She played for the congregation this morning, she added.

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