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According to Social SecuriÂtyâs 2010 Life Expectancy Report, American men should live an average of 76.3 years. Sun City resident Paul Souchek defied the odds, celebrating his 90th birthday on Sept. 30, 2013.
Genes may play less of a role in longevity than many believe, making lifestyle and environÂment more important factors. Brigham and Women’s HospiÂtal’s Division of Aging began a controlled study in 1981, enrollÂing 2,357 healthy men with an average age of over 72. By the end of the research, 970 men made it to their ’90s. Certain factors became obvious among those 41 percent that helped themselves to live longer. Letâs see how Paul compares with these factors and those from other similar studies.
1. Consume whole healthy foods
Prior to the Great Depression, Paul grew up on a farm-like setÂting in Norwood Park.
âMy diet consisted of garden tomatoes out of our yard, corn, carrots…. We only used dry cow manure, which after three years became our fertilizer. Our fruits and vegetables had no adÂditives,â Souchek said. âI still raise seven plants of tomatoes each growing season.â
âSince we were married, we have always eaten a lot of vegÂgies and salads,â Joan, Paul’s wife of 66 years, added.
For Souchek starting his day properly means a breakfast of cereal or eggs. He also takes multi-vitamins such as D3, calÂcium, CoQ10, fish oil, and a mature adult daily vitamin.
2. Have a little luck along lifeâs way.
Paul was drafted into the army and entered World War II at 18 for a period of two years, nine months, and six days. He spent all but 13 weeks of basic training abroad on tours of duty to Africa, Italy, France, and GerÂmany (as far as Munich) where he rose from private to sergeant. When Paul fought the enemy in the France/Germany border area, he narrowly missed death on four occasions.
âOne particular situation ocÂcurred when I was about to take over âwatch dutyâ in five minutes. The soldier âon guardâ took a bullet that killed him right before it was my turn to stand in his place,â he said.
Years later, back home and at work in his construction job, Souchek said: âWhen a piece of plywood that had been covering a hole in the concrete flipped up on me, I fell down one story through the hole in a high-rise building. I only cracked a rib.â
3. Be dutiful to your health throughout life.
Paul says, âI have never taken alcohol or smoked.â Mr. Souchek does appear to have good genes. His mother lived to be 97, but his dad (who didnât see a doctor) died at 62 due to uremic poisoning. Paul has nevÂer suffered from major illnesses such as diabetes and was told by one physician that his heartâs strength was that of someone much younger than himself. BeÂcause he has regular 3-4 month physical check-ups, which inÂclude blood work, Souchek keeps his blood pressure unÂder control. He has never been obese, and has only suffered through his life with a double hernia. He enjoys at least nine hours of sleep nightly. Just reÂcently at 90 years of age, he was asked by a doctor âDo you want to be in a wheelchair or do you want to walk around?â After hearing these words, Souchek decided it was finally time to have a total knee replacement. After almost nine weeks of therÂapy, he is walking just great!
4. Stay active physically and mentally.
Souchek made a career of working on Chicagoâs 21- to 34-story high buildings as a laÂborerâs foreman. After his and Joanâs three children were marÂried, each of the Souchekâs newÂlywed couples were able to save money for their own houses by staying in the upper floor apartÂment their (then) 60-year-old father built as a house addition.
At 60, Paul came out of retireÂment full time for five years. He still tinkers with his longtime hobby of repairing radios from the 1930s and fixing broken parts. Some days you may even find Paul riding on one of PraiÂrie Lodgeâs stationary bikes.
5. Stay social through life.
Paul has belonged to the seÂnior social group at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Huntley. When Joan participates in her own engagements with friends, you can find Paul at Huntleyâs Papa Gâs kibitzing with the owner and other seniors.
A recent highlight occurred at Souchek’s 90th birthday party, attended by 80 people, where a local quilterâs group presented him with âA Quilt of Valorâ gift for his participation in WWII.
âIâve got a lot of determinaÂtion. I never give up,” Souchek said. In service â same thing â I always knew we could work it out!â