Mr Hor puts his longevity down to his love of sport, food and family, and still enjoys reading newspapers, swimming, playing the pokies and enjoying the odd drop of plum wine.
Born in the Solomon Islands of Chinese descent, he went to boarding school in Hong Kong and made his way to Vanuatu by boat before being picked up by Australian soldiers, arriving here in 1942 aged 19.
He worked as a labourer and clerk, putting himself through the Metropolitan Business College at night.
In 1944, he joined the Bank of China where he met wife Miuwan, who died 10 years ago, and had three children – Miriam, Erwin and Elaine.
Mr Hor’s first business venture was a hamburger shop before opening Campsie’s first Chinese restaurant in Beamish Street.
He then took over his father-in-law’s Spick and Span dry-cleaner business on Chapel Road at Bankstown and converted that to a Chinese restaurant, the Golden Gate, with others to follow at Liverpool and Bankstown Square food court.
Since retiring, he has focused on charity work, including the Australian Chinese Nursing Home Foundation with many of their outlets bearing plaques in his honour.
At Bankstown Lions, he met Bankstown Sports Chairman John Murray and they spent years together fundraising for the community.
Mr Murray said Mr Hor made his restaurant available for their meetings.
“Bernie was always there to lend a hand, a great, down-to-earth character who is an Aussie at heart, just looks Chinese,” he said with a laugh. “He is very highly regarded by all.”
Mr Hor was treated to an early 100th birthday celebration on Saturday, including special messages from the King, Prime Minister, Premier and longtime friend Paul Keating, with his eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren enjoying the milestone event.
Amazing centenarian’s long life due to love of sport, food, family
THERE is a growing legion of centenarians though few reach the milestone without the support of medication but not so for Campsie’s first Chinese restaurant owner Bernard Hor who turned 100 last week.