Well-known retired fisherman Emard Court celebrates 102nd birthday

A well-known North Rustico, P.E.I., fisherman turned 102 on Saturday.

Emard Court is a retired fisherman who became known as somewhat of a tourist attraction on P.E.I. over the years.

With his long white beard and fisherman's rain hat, tourists visiting the Island would often come to get pictures taken with him.

One of his caregivers, Arthur MacKenzie, says Court was always happy to greet visitors and tell some of his stories.

"Every busload of people who would come to Rustico, he was always willing to get there and get his picture taken with as many people as humanly possible," he said.

One of the places Emard’s photo can be found is the National Art Gallery.

"His picture is all over the world and I think he’s pretty proud of that," MacKenzie said.

Emard also served in the Second World War, where he fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day. In 2014, he was awarded the French Legion of Honour, one of the country’s highest military medals.

Court is described as a man of few words and he spends time making mesh bags by hand.

MacKenzie says people knew him from far and wide.

"A lot of people went away with that little thing in their heart, 'Oh, I’ve got a picture with' and … he's hanging in a lot of photo parlours or photo books around many places in the world."