105-Year-Old North Shore WWII U.S. Marine Veteran To Be Remembered

BEVERLY, MA — One of the North Shore's oldest surviving veterans — who volunteered to serve in the Pacific theater in World War II — will be remembered at a burial at Sons of Abraham Cemetery on Wednesday.

Louis Tanzer of Beverly passed away at his home last Tuesday. He was 105 years old.

Tanzer grew up in Peabody but had lived in Beverly since he married in 1951.

He worked at North Shore farms and Peabody's leather factories as a teenager before enlisting in the U.S. Marines during World War II despite the chance of gaining a deferment as his family's income provider.

He became a staff sergeant serving with the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in the Pacific.

According to his remembrance page, Tanzer would often speak with pride about his service to his country.

He was a past Commander of the Goldberg-Zassman Post of the Jewish War Veterans, currently Post 220.

Upon finishing his military service, he sustained polyurethane poisoning while working as a color chemist in the leather industry, resulting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Yet he maintained a "fighting spirit" and lived a "long and productive life," which included time spent with family and friends, golf, and travel adventures with his late wife, Roslyn

He was also a president of the Brotherhood at Temple B’nai Abraham in Beverly and worked alongside many in establishing the new synagogue on Lothrop Street.

His remembrance page credited members of the North Shore veterans community and Veterans Services Council of Beverly for helping him enjoy his later years in the comfort of his home.

The U.S. Marines were expected to send a significant contingent to the graveside service, which will take place at the Sons of Abraham Cemetery on Cole Street, in Beverly, on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Donations may be made in Louis's memory to the Disabled American Veterans.