Celebrating 102: Merrimac’s Oldest Resident is Recognized with Commemorative Boston Post Cane
The Town of Merrimac awards Robert ‘Bob’ Eastman, who turns 102 on Saturday, May 9, with the Boston Post Cane, in recognition of being the oldest resident of Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) -
Community members and family gather to wish Bob Eastman a happy 102nd birthday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) 
Town of Merrimac Council on Aging Director Brienne Walsh presents Bob Eastman, who turns 102 on Saturday, with the commemorative Boston Post Cane signifying Bob as the oldest living resident in Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) -
Bob with his granddaughter, Donna Kolifrath after reciving the Boston Post Cane recognition. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) 
Merrimac Select Board Clerk Janet Bruno presents Bob with a certificate for being the oldest living resident in Merrimac during a ceremony on Friday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) -
Community members and family gather to wish Bob Eastman a happy 102nd birthday. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) 
Representative from State Representative Dawne Shand’s (D-Newburyport) Office, awarding Bob Eastman with state recognition for being the oldest resident of Merrimac. (Photo Courtesy Town of Merrimac) -
MERRIMAC — In 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games were held, and the Ford Motor Company manufactured the first Model T vehicle. It was also the year that the U.S. Army Air Service carried out the first round-the-world flight.
1924 is also the year that Robert “Bob” Eastman was born.
Bob, who was born and raised in Haverhill but has lived in Merrimac since 1962, is the Town’s oldest resident. He turned 102 on Saturday, May 9.
He served in the Coast Guard from August 1942 to November 1945 during World War II. During his time in the Coast Guard, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Wakefield, a transport ship, and spent the majority of his time off the coasts of Europe and Africa. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard at the rank of Seaman 1st Class.
Bob resides at MerriVillage. He and his late wife were parents to five children, one of whom has passed away. They are also grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents to many.
When Bob turned 100, his family wanted to commemorate the special occasion with a party. But after a brief time in the hospital, the party had to be canceled. However, Merrimac residents, friends, and neighbors joined forces to make sure Bob was properly celebrated. A parade of public safety personnel, town officials, state representatives, local community partners, veterans alliances, students, and more came to wish Bob a very happy birthday.
This year, to celebrate Bob’s 102nd birthday, he is being recognized on a larger scale. On Friday, May 8, Bob was presented with the Boston Post Cane. The cane recognizes the lives of the oldest residents in communities across New England. This is a long-standing tradition that began in 1909.
During the event, held at his home in Merrimac, Bob was presented with the cane and a certificate of recognition from the Merrimac Select Board and a certificate from state Rep. Dawne Shand.
While it was a bit too cold for Bob, who sat at his door waving to onlookers, the cool breeze didn’t stop his friends, family, and community members from stopping by to drop off cards and shake his hand to celebrate his birthday.
Bob’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, community members, including officers from the Police Department, Select Board, the Senior Center, and the Veterans Alliance, were in attendance.
When asked how it feels to be 102, Bob’s response was, “I feel normal. It’s just nice to see all of the people. I didn’t know we had that many friends.”
“This is just such a great accomplishment and recognition for him. I think he has a few more years left in him”, said Bob’s granddaughter, Donna Kolifrath. “It is truly amazing to see him still so independent, living on his own, cooking his own meals. He’s just amazing. He’s just my hero in every sense.”
“The Merrimac COA was honored to celebrate not only Bob Eastman’s 102nd birthday but also his place as the ‘Oldest Living Resident’ of Merrimac. Not many residents receive the Boston Post Cane, and being able to bring this momentous and long-standing tradition to Bob’s door was a wonderful way to commemorate his place in Merrimac history,” said COA Director Brienne Walsh. “Bob is a testament to aging in place in his community with supportive resources and family assistance, and I am thrilled to have been able to participate in a wonderful morning with Bob, his family, friends, and neighbors.”
The ongoing question Bob got throughout the day was ‘how do you make it to 102 years old’, to which Bob replied, “Keep moving… and whiskey.”
About the Boston Post Cane
The Boston Post Cane originated in 1909. The Boston Post newspaper distributed about 700 canes throughout New England so that towns could recognize their oldest resident in a ceremony.
The cane is topped with a 14-karat gold head with the inscription, “Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town) — To Be Transmitted.”
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