On 102nd Birthday, Bergen County WWII Vet Says Secret To Long Life Is Eating These 2 Foods

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Longtime Fair Lawn resident and World War II veteran Charlie Wolf celebrated his 102nd birthday last month, sharing his secrets to a long life.

Wolf served in World War II for three years as a nursing assistant in the U.S. Army.

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A Fair Lawn resident since 1969, Wolf was born in Montreal and raised in New York.

In World War II, he was stationed at the 54th General Hospital in New Guinea before being transferred to Tokyo near the end of the war, officials said. He received his military medals in 2016 — 70 years after his service — during a surprise ceremony at Pearl Harbor.

After the war, Wolf owned a small business and was married to wife Ellen for 53 years. He has a daughter, a grandson, a granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters.

Wolf frequently takes part in activities at the Fair Lawn Senior Center and taught a computer class for seniors at the Kaplan JCC on the Palisades in the early 2000s, officials said.

When asked the secret to a long life, he credited tea with honey, animal crackers, and staying active.

“Charlie Wolf is exactly who we should all aspire to be," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who visited the veteran to celebrate last month. "At 102 years old, he’s reading the news on his iPad, always smiling, and still proving that age is just a number."

Gottheimer said, “Our seniors are the heart and soul of North Jersey, and Charlie Wolf is the heart of Fair Lawn. It was a true honor to celebrate his birthday and thank him in person for everything he's given to our country and our community.”