Freehold Nursing Home Helps Resident Celebrate 100th Birthday

FREEHOLD, NJ - Even the current pandemic can’t stop this social butterfly from celebrating a major milestone.

Leon Kaplan, a resident of the Jewish Home for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Freehold, recently marked his 100th birthday with a socially distanced celebration hosted by his care team, as well as a virtual birthday party with family and friends.

What’s Kaplan’s secret to staying sharp at 100? It’s staying connected with others and keeping his mind engaged by sharing puns and following the stock market every day. The gregarious centenarian loves to meet new people, socialize at lunch and spend time outdoors when the weather is nice.

“Everyone loves Leon, and his bright smile just lights up a room!” said Nava Gutman, director of activities at The Jewish Home. “He was so touched and humbled by all of the special attention for his birthday. During the celebration, he was true to form, entertaining everyone and joking that we shouldn’t worry because the first 100 years are the hardest, it gets easier from there!”

Related: Freehold Resident, A 'Grandma To Everyone,' Celebrates 100 Years

Born on Jan. 7, 1921 in Bayonne, Kaplan turned a childhood love of airplanes into a successful career in airport traffic control. His adventurous spirit and passion for air travel eventually took him to Alaska for six years to work for the organization that would later be known as the Federal Aviation Administration.

Kaplan also earned his pilot’s license and fondly remembers his first flight.

The New Jersey native counts former President Franklin D. Roosevelt as one of his favorite role models. Kaplan reflects that Roosevelt’s strong leadership, smarts and calming presence was vitally important during a tumultuous time. To Kaplan, the former leader’s speech after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the greatest speeches in history.

Kaplan shared many years of marriage with his wife Sarah and is the proud father of two sons and three grandchildren.

“Leon has amazing recall and is always interesting to talk with about a range of topics, including history,” Gutman added. “He also delights in sharing stories with other residents and staff members to learn more about their experience.”