Want to know the secrets to long marriage? Ask Iris and Fred (photo)

A couple who hail from the 'greatest generation' are celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary — between golf games.

Fred and Iris Middleton — who met during World War II and this year are celebrating their seventieth wedding anniversary — were feted today at the Royal Canadian Legion by about 100 of their closest friends and family.

The couple got to know each other over letters during the war and met in England after Fred was injured in battle in France.

“We were pen pals first, then he came to my hometown and we met one another and that was it,” said Iris.

Fred admitted the war was difficult, but said it is what young men did back then.

“You got $1.10 a day and all-you-can-eat. But I would do it over again,” he said.

The couple were married shortly after the end of the war; Fred was 21 and Iris was 20.

The young couple moved to Nova Scotia not long after that, where their first son, Roy was born. 

Roy is also celebrating his own fortieth wedding anniversary this year with his wife Shirley.

“The stability. The ups and downs. I think we followed their example, they’re great parents,” said Roy.

He said he hopes to make it to the same milestone as his parents.

“The genes are there, so we’re good for that, I guess,” said Roy.

After about a year in Nova Scotia, the family moved west to Sault Ste. Marie, where their second son Brian was born and Fred worked at Algoma Steel until retiring in 1981.

Iris said supporting each other has been one secret of their long marriage.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Love one another and make sure you both pull the same weight when a problem comes up,” she said.

Iris also credits keeping active, the couple joined the Root River Golf Club in 1968.

“Sometimes I play the whole course — sometimes I don’t — but I enjoy being social. That’s another little secret,” she said.

Father and son Fred and Roy play at least once a week in the senior’s league, while Iris and Shirley play in the women’s senior league.

Fred pointed out he can still beat his son on occasion.

“Oh, he beat me the other day,” admits Roy.

Although Fred voluntarily gave up his driver’s license four years ago, the elder couple still live at home at ages 92 and 90.

Roy and Shirley live upstairs.

“It’s nice and close. It’s convenient for both of us,” said Roy.

Today’s celebration rolled together the seventieth and fortieth anniversaries, as well as Iris’ ninetieth birthday celebration.

“They have lived a good long life and friends have been a part of it, and family has been a big part of it,” said Roy.

He added, “If you want to learn something no better a source than someone who has lived a long life.”

(PHOTO: Fred and Iris Middleton, seen today during a celebration of their seventieth wedding anniversary at the Royal Canadian Legion. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)