His impressive resume includes accountant, pilot, journeyperson and Second World War veteran and now Lorne Figley has added another achievement to the list – the world’s oldest plumber. The 92-year-old Saskatoon man was bestowed the title by Guinness World Records earlier this month.
Figley is the sole owner and employee of a Saskatoon heating and plumbing company called Broadway Heating Ltd. He opened the business with four friends in 1947 after returning home from fighting with the Canadian forces during the liberation of Holland. He told Guinness World Records that he keeps working because it helps him feel young.
“Working helps keep my body fit and my brain sharp,” Figley said. “I hope to die with a pipe wrench in my hand!”
The 92-year-old’s persistence certainly caught the attention of Guinness. Figley said he felt honoured by the recognition. He even joked to CTV Saskatoon on Tuesday that he finally had an achievement that his highly educated children and grandchildren didn’t have.
“I was boasting with them that they all have higher degrees but I have the Guinness degree,” Figley said with a laugh.
Figley told CTV News Channel on Wednesday that he’s using the publicity of the world record to highlight his province’s apprenticeship program.
“I took it as an opportunity to boast about Saskatchewan’s education system,” Figley said. “They have certainly done the best job in the country of gathering younger students in and (outputting) quality work.”
The spry handyman said he typically makes one or two house calls a day where he undertakes tasks such as fixing heating pipes, installing air conditioning units or fitting boilers. Wo Yuen, a long-time customer of Figley’s, said he’s always been satisfied with Figley’s work.
“He’s very professional and he does things right,” Yuen said. “We’ve never had to call him back for any redos or anything. He takes care in doing the work and you know everything comes out really well.”
Figley completed his journeyperson certification in plumbing, pipe fitting, refrigeration, air conditioning and sheet metal at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the 1950s and 1970s. His former school honoured their alumnus with a lifetime achievement award on the weekend. The school also announced the creation of a $500 scholarship in his name. The money will be awarded to the student who receives the highest grade on the journeyperson exam of Figley’s choice. Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s provost, Anne Neufeld, said she’s thrilled about Figley’s accomplishments.
“When I think today, we could be training students here who would actually be working in their chosen field 70 years from now, that’s amazing, exciting and something to be celebrated,” Neufeld said.
Despite turning 93 in January, Figley said he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.
“I’ll have to quit if my health goes down, otherwise I’ll just plug along,” Figley said.
With a report by CTV Saskatoon’s Allison Bamford
