By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo couple celebrates remarkable 75th anniversary

Sep 13, 2016 | 2:21 PM

NANAIMO — Words of wisdom for a long and happy marriage from a Nanaimo couple who know a thing or two about lasting love.

Cliff, 96, and Mary Hobbis, 94, are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

Mary says keys to their longevity include clear communication and not holding onto negative energy.

“Holding a grudge destroys your own ability to think and value and so therefore I feel that you need to be open, open to forgive, and we’ve learned a lot of these things the hard way,” says Mary.

Cliff Hobbis says many couples don’t take a measured approach to settling disagreements.

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“All they have to do is sit and take time and talk, that’s the big thing. You don’t always have to agree, but come to a decision and don’t scrap, no fighting, l-o-v-e,” he says.

Both say their belief in god, healthy lifestyle and luck contributed to their long life together.

The Hobbis’ first met in Regina, Saskatchewan, dated for about one year, then got married on September 13, 1941.

However, the next few years proved to be difficult for the charming couple; Cliff served for the Canadian Forces oversees in World War II and almost didn’t make it home.

He sustained two serious back injuries.

“I spent three-and-a-half-years in the war. I was injured in Holland and blown up in Germany.”

An explosion rocked the convoy truck Cliff was on in Germany, which was tossed from a road and into a river.

On Saturday, a large 75th anniversary celebration with many members of the Hobbis’ large family showed up at Departure Bay Babtist Church.

Mary exchanged greetings with family, as she scanned the church’s lobby, beaming with pride and appreciation for what her loved ones mean to her and Cliff.

“Our five children have been a big part of our lives, and we have them to thank for all of this, and for many other blessings. They’ve all been so good to us.”

The Hobbis’ also have 21 grandchildren, including four great-great granddaughters.

The magnitude of a rarely achieved 75-years of marriage is not lost on Cliff.

“It’s unreal. Two or three weeks ago Mary and I sat in a chair and said ’75?’, we just couldn’t believe 75-years.”