Centenarian Hoping to Live in 3 Centuries

Harry Waks is looking forward to going where few have gone before. Waks, a retired real estate broker and longtime San Fernando Valley resident who was born on Aug. 12, 1896, in St. Louis, would like to be among the few people to have lived in three centuries.

Waks quietly celebrated his 100th birthday Monday at the Royal Bellingham retirement home after a weekend fete that attracted relatives and friends from around the country.

“It’s almost unbelievable to live 100 years,” said Waks, who despite failing eyesight and a painful leg that was crippled by polio in 1900, stays reasonably active.

“I think I can probably make it to the 21st century, but you never can tell. I’m just plugging along. At my age you live day to day.”

After owning a clothing store and running a hotel in Missouri and Florida, Waks moved with his wife to the San Fernando Valley in 1941 where he worked a variety of jobs before finally settling into a career as a real estate agent.

His wife died more than 20 years ago and the couple never had children, but Waks is seldom lonely, said his niece, Dorothy Bachelis of Van Nuys.

“He’s got a couple of girlfriends there at the home who look after him and take care of him,” she said. “You would never believe he’s 100 years old. He looks great and he still tells dirty jokes.”

Another niece, Connie Kraus of Chesterfield, Mo., said friends and family came from across the nation to celebrate Waks’ birthday party Saturday at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys.

“He made a speech off the top of his head that was simply beautiful,” Kraus said. “He thanked everyone for coming and said how nice it was to be with us. He’s just a very special man.”