- June 8, 2026
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Together, Dr. Frederick "Fred" Moffat, George "Gus" Nimick and James "Jim" Griffith have gathered nearly three centuries of life experiences and moments shared with loved ones. Plymouth Harbor residents recognized just how special that is with a combined birthday party for the three gentlemen turning 99 years old this summer.
Plymouth Harbor staff dished out slices from three separate birthday cakes to partygoers on June 1 in the packed Mayflower Dining Room.
After lighting the candles and kicking off the celebration, they each took to a table to chat with visiting family members and well-wishers. They readily offered life advice to those who asked.
Moffat worked for six years at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an emergency room physician after moving to the city. He also served on multiple SMH committees and previously worked for a decade as a primary care physician at Beneva Family Practice and as a surgeon with SMH's Community Clinic. Beyond those duties, he also collaborated with the Tidewell Foundation.
Moffat was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field by his physician father. Joining him at the birthday party was his son, Tom, who had also followed in his footsteps leading to a medical career.
Also at the table sat his wife, Molly, with whom he will celebrate 75 years of marriage on June 19.
He has no shortage of conversation-sparking stories, the very first of which begins on his day of birth. He was born right around midnight, and while the scale for deciding his birthday could have tipped either way, his father made sure it was listed as July 1 for a specific reason — it coincides with Canada Day.
Moffat said he believed the appeal of free cake played a role in the high attendance at the joint birthday party. But speaking seriously, he said the camaraderie among Plymouth Harbor residents is genuinely impressive.
When it comes to birthday-inspired advice he would offer to others, he offered the straightforward words, "Keep doing it."
Nimick turns 99 years old on July 25. Among his variety of interests is a lifelong love for the sport of baseball, particularly when the Pittsburgh Pirates are hitting the diamond.
For years, Nimick has thrown the first pitch for the Pirates during spring training.
Aasked what advice he would share with others, he turned to his stylish jacket.
"I'm getting too old to stand up, so I try to stand out," he said with a grin.
The coat itself holds some history unique to St. Armands in its seams. Nimick's father-in-law purchased it at Taffy's Menswear, which was a staple retailer on the island for more than 50 years.
Nimick moved to Plymouth Harbor in 2015, and he said the community's biggest strength is its people.
Closing out the birthdays will be Griffith on Aug. 16. He shares a medical background with Moffat, having worked as a physician with the Sarasota County Health Department.
Even in retirement, Griffith endeavored to promote community members' well-being as a deeply involved volunteer with the Senior Friendship Centers.
Griffith said he has been glad to call his birthday buds good friends for several years.
Asked what he appreciates about Plymouth Harbor, he pointed around the room and said, "Look how many people came down here."
His advice is to "stay social, keep an open mind, and try to think of good things to do for other people."
