100 Years and Counting
Looking to hit the triple digits? Bergen County centenarians reveal their secrets to longevity—and share some of their most memorable experiences.
The world’s centenarian population is expected to grow eightfold to about 3.7 million by 2050, but longevity already reigns in Bergen County. The largest number of New Jersey’s centenarians—a total of 232—live in Bergen, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. We spoke with five of the county’s most vivacious 100-plus-year-olds—who have lived through 17 presidents!—to find out what life was like back then and what they did to get here.
Evelyn Laub, 100, Rockleigh
If you could hop into a time machine, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go back in time to see an uncle who told me,“The first thing you should do when you get up is read the Wall Street Journal because you’ll know everything that is going on in the world.” I want to tell him that he was right.
What’s your secret to longevity?
You have to eat well and do a lot of exercise—a lot. It’s also important to do something for other people every day. Here [The Jewish Home at Rockleigh] I try hard to make people feel good.
You’ve lived through a lot of historic events. Which one was the most significant to you?
I went to Syracuse University, and one time all of the girls attending the university were on a train to go home for winter break. A woman came in to talk to us—that woman was Eleanor Roosevelt! She told us how important an education is and that she was glad to see all of us going to college. We were so excited!
What’s one thing you do that surprises people because of your age?
I read anything and everything. I read books about nutrition, so I know how to stay healthy. I also love reading about science. And I especially love Nicholas Sparks novels because they’re so sentimental.
Bill Protze, 100, Saddle Brook
If you could hop into a time machine, what year would you go to and why?
I would go back to 1946 because that’s the year I came back from the service during World War II. I had the chance to reenlist, but I chose to come home because I wanted to be with my family. That was such a happy time.
What’s your secret to longevity?
I stay away from salt, and I’ve always been active too. You’ve lived through a lot of historic events. Which one was the most significant to you? Saddle Brook celebrated its 300th anniversary in June and they celebrated my 100th birthday at the same time. In the end it seemed as if the whole event was about my birthday! I really felt special.
What’s one thing you do that surprises people because of your age?
I have a scooter that I like to ride around town with my daughter. A lot of times we go to a park in Garfield. I love being outside in the fresh air. I also ride a bike every week at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at St. Mary’s General Hospital.
Do you have any advice for young people today?
Be more appreciative. Young people today are always looking for things to be better. Well, they’re great now!
Dorothy Kearns, 102, Wyckoff
If you could hop into a time machine, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go to any year in the future where there are no more wars. What’s your secret to longevity? I’ve been on medication for anemia since I was eight years old, and I think that has something to do with it. There’s no other explanation because no one in my family lived this long.
You’ve lived through a lot of historic events. Which one was the most significant to you?
My husband was an attorney, and during World War II one of his clients wanted to get his relatives out of Vienna. So we went on a trip to rescue them. We took a boat to England, then traveled through France, Switzerland and Germany to get there. We rescued the relatives, and to get back home we had to go up to Canada and travel down the coast to the U.S. The whole process took two months.
What’s one thing you do that surprises people because of your age?
I love to be outside, so I walk around the development [Christian Health Care Center] a lot. One day, I saw a crowd of people on the porch and someone yelled, “Hurry up! There’s a bear!” I didn’t rush—I just kept walking. Everybody thought I was crazy.
Harold Townes, 102, Teaneck
What’s your secret to longevity?
You have to be careful about what you eat. I always ate vegetables, and I never smoked or drank. But I do love sweets.
You’ve lived through a lot of historic events. Which one was the most significant to you?
I had a lot of interesting experiences as a police detective in Manhattan. In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was in New York City with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. I was put in charge of guarding him. We made sure no one made any trouble for him, and we did what we had to do to protect him.
What’s one thing you do that surprises people because of your age?
When I was a detective we didn’t have uniforms; we wore plain clothes. I always liked to dress well back then, and I still do today. I wear jackets, ties and nice shoes every day [at Bright Side Manor]. I don’t care where I am.
Do you have any advice for young people today?
First of all, be accountable for everything that you do. Second, make sure you keep yourself on the straight and narrow—and make good decisions. If you do, you’ll never have to deal with law enforcement.
Antoinette Grajauskas, 102, Closter
If you could hop into a time machine, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go back to when I was 25 years old and living in Lithuania. My parents had a big farm with horses, cows, chickens, geese. It was so peaceful there.
What’s your secret to longevity?
I was always in good health because everything we ate came straight from the farms. Our mother went to the market every day to buy fresh vegetables because we believed that’s how you should eat.
You’ve lived through a lot of historic events. Which one was the most significant to you?
During World War II the communists were coming to Lithuania, and we decided to leave. Our family moved to Germany and stayed at a Catholic camp. Our two sons were born there before we came to the United States.
What’s one thing you do that surprises people because of your age?
I’m still active. Last week I was outside weeding the front yard!
Do you have any advice for young people today?
Young parents have to set a good example for their kids. Many kids today aren’t nice, and in many cases it’s because their parents are the same way.
Did you know?
Agnes Fenton of Englewood, age 111, is the oldest person in Bergen County and the 77th oldest person in the world, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
