We love you Johnny!

Today the most famous man in Bermuda turns 85-years-old, but don't worry, the sunny greeter has no thoughts of retiring just yet.

Early this morning Johnny Barnes will be taking up his usual position at the Foot of the Lane roundabout to greet commuters with his friendly wave and smile – something he has done for the past 62 years.

"I am just here to spread a little love, joy and hope," says Johnny.

Each working day he goes to bed at 7.15 p.m., waking up at 1.30 a.m. to have his breakfast and then head down to the roundabout. He is there five days a week, from 3.45 a.m. to 10 a.m., waving at passers-by and shouting "I love you".

Dressed in his trademark straw hat, a blue and white striped shirt and navy trousers, Johnny tells The Royal Gazette: "I love them all. Each morning I come here, I have a prayer and ask God to keep everyone safe."

Whilst The Royal Gazette interviewed him for this article, one driver shouted 'morning Johnny', while one man who passed on a scooter sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine."

Johnny was born John James Adolphus Mills, and grew up in Parson's Road, Pembroke. He says: "As a boy, my mother once told me to speak to everybody, because you never know when you might need them. That's why I speak to everybody, no matter who they are, because God tells us to love everybody. Besides I enjoy it, making people happy and bringing smiles to their faces."

So what inspired him to dedicate his life to making other people happy? He says: "Well you know, God gives us all something to do, doesn't he?

"The greatest joy you can have is when you're making other people happy. It doesn't cost anything."

Johnny used to wave at passers-by when he worked along East Broadway as an electrician on the Bermuda Railway. At the age of 23 he decided to make it more of a full-time occupation.

Asked what his favourite memories are over the years, he says: "I have so many memories, but it's when you see the little boys and girls saying hello and shouting 'Johnny I love you', that's what I like best. But it's all about bringing a smile to everyone."

His only lengthy absence from the roundabout was due to a hernia, and then people missed him so much they even visited him in hospital.

"I was away for about a month," says Johnny. "But people kept coming to the hospital to see me, it was flooded with people and we had to stop them coming!"

Johnny's community service, his status as a Bermuda cultural icon and a tourist attraction has earned him a permanent memorial in the form of a life-size bronze statue along East Broadway.

"I thank God for it," says Johnny.

Despite his fame, he retains a humble attitude to life, saying simply: "I just feel I am an instrument of God's love. I thank God and don't let it go to my head. It's important to just be yourself."

He says he loves meeting people from around the world, and during our interview a Russian family approach, wanting to have their picture taken with the 'friendliest man in Bermuda'.

"I do enjoy talking to the tourists," says Johnny. "And I always thank them for coming to our Island."

After a morning's 'work', Johnny heads back to his house in Valley Lane, Paget, where he enjoys tending to his garden and growing bananas, strawberries, peaches, pears, loquats and making honey.

Surely his wife Belvina gets fed up with him disappearing in the middle of the night?

"I've got to keep her cool," he admits.

At the Hamilton gateway roundabout, Johnny is continually subjected to the exhaust fumes of passing cars and scooters, but asked whether he is concerned about the impact on his health, he says: "No, I drink plenty of water, two bottles every day."

The increase in traffic over the years doesn't bother him, but he is concerned about the speeds on the roads.

"People are going too fast," says Johnny. "They need to slow down and enjoy the scenery."

Asked how he would like to be remembered, he says: "I would like to thought of as 'he was a kind man, caring for others'."

But Johnny says he will only retire "when the good Lord says 'That's enough' and takes me home.

"As long as I have my health and strength I will be here," he says.

Mayor of Hamilton, Sutherland Madeiros, said: "I think Johnny Barnes personifies the true Bermuda spirit.

"He always has a smile on his face and I have never seen him otherwise.

"I think he is an example to all Bermudians."