It was a celebration last Thursday at the Christmas party at the retirement residence Chartwell Le Prescott in Vaudreuil-Dorion, and for good reason.
It was a time for celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the oldest in residence, Louis Sandler. A veteran of the World War II, the centenarian born on November 29th, 1921 was surrounded by his life partner, Joan Carroll Catherine, the 3 children and 8 grandchildren of his companion as well as dozens of friends from the residence located on the rue Émile-Bouchard.
The re-elected mayor of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Guy Pilon made a point of participating in the festivities and he presented the city’s medal of honor to the native Montrealer. Like everyone else present, the Chief Magistrate saw how special Mr. Sandler is.
“You will be able to speak to him as I can discuss with you”, had warned the general manager of the residence Chartwell Le Prescott, Stéphane Guy. Indeed, during an interview with Southwest Voice, Louis Sandler made quite an impression with his great lucidity, an infectious sense of humour and a remarkable presence of mind for a man who counts a hundred springs.
Moved and surprised to receive such a tribute, Mr. Sandler first thanked his exceptional partner (great partner), Joan, for all she does for him. Asked about his wishes for the next century of his life, the centenarian instinctively replied, “Keep Joan.”
Louis Sandler added that all of this attention was “too much” and he feels privileged to have had such a full life. “With such a party, I feel better than I did many years ago”, he joked.
Like many war veterans, Mr. Sandler has been quiet about his experiences during WWII as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. A sergeant at the head of an armed military unit, the veteran spent three years on the European continent from 1942 to 1945 helping the Allies accomplish their mission.
Louis Sandler prefers to talk about the triumphant memories of the end of the 1939-45 war and of having travelled through many countries of Europe, including France, England, Holland, Germany and Italy. “I stayed in Rome for a week when it became an open city. It’s my best memory”, recalls the war hero.
Without asserting that the weeks and months after returning home were difficult, Mr. Sandler admits that post-war life was not easy. “I was lucky, my sister took care of me”, says the man who eventually became a merchant and who owned a cosmetics store for 13 years on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal.
To conclude the interview on a humorous note, the author of this line wished Louis Sandler happiness for another 100 years. The centenarian replied that he will wait for me and that he will be present at the 100th birthday of yours truly.
Even the interview was conducted mainly in English, Mr. Sandler insisted on pronouncing a few sentences in French. “Je vous remercie pour ce que vous faites. C’est à votre tour de vous laisser parler d’amour”, said the jovial centenarian.
