War veteran anf father-of-four Fred (Clip) Clipper today celebrates a very significant milestone - his 100th birthday.But he is showing no signs of slowing down and still volunteers for two hours each Saturday to help the Bermuda Red Cross repair wheelchairs for people in need.Though legally blind and deaf, Mr Clipper uses his fingers to feel out problems in each wheelchair and instinctively knows how to fix it.He also spends each morning cutting down the hedges around his property and spends time sharing stories with his beloved family.Friends and loved-ones joined in for a small celebration at the Red Cross building, in Paget, last week, which is aptly named the Clipper Building in his honour.It was one of seven birthdays organised for him including a main celebration today, which will have special guests from his former employer Air Canada such as the chief operating officer from Montreal, the president of the airline’s retirees group Pion-Airs from British Columbia, Canada and the US District Pion-Air from Florida.Mr Clipper, an American who was stationed in Bermuda during the Second World War, married Bermudian Rosemary Champness in 1943.Since then he has volunteered for Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, Meals on Wheels and the Centenarian Transport programme.According to his daughter Rose Clipper her father’s participation is “phenomenal” and has inspired her to start doing her own work in the community.Like her father, she is a devoted volunteer with the Bermuda Red Cross.She said he has begun to use his cane more over the past two years and “is a little unsteady on his feet”, but all-in-all still looks after himself and rarely needs to visit the doctor.When asked about his secret to a long, healthy life, Mr Clipper said: “I have lived a decent life. I never smoked and never drank.”Mark Richardson has been volunteering alongside Mr Clipper for the past 11 years and said the senior has only missed one or two days with the charity.Mr Richardson described the centenarian as “a very charitable, wonderful man” and admittedly considers him like family.“He always has a story about the old days. He brought me up to speed with what needs to be done [at the rentals division of the charity] and loves his family like his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.“He is a strong person so I expected [him to live a long time] but he still amazes me at 100-years-old. He still gives of himself and comes out twice a week.”Friend Colin Brown, 27, also volunteered with Mr Clipper while completing his Duke of Edinburgh Award in 1998.“I have never had a grandfather so he is the nearest thing in terms of someone who tells me their old stories about when he used to be a pilot, things about Bermuda how it has changed over the years.“He is a role model. He is one of the nicest and most genuine people on the Island and is a pillar in the community. If I could be as fit as him when I am 100 I would be very happy.”Red Cross director Ann Spencer Arscott said she considers him a vital part of the Red Cross family.She said: “The fact that he has attained the young age of 100 is a feat in itself and the fact that he still wants to volunteer and is legally blind and deaf and still wants to make a difference in people lives. It says a lot to the type of person he is.