World War II veteran turns 100

Sunrise resident Irving I. Canter celebrated his 100th birthday recently with a party at Ruby Tuesday surrounded by loved ones and friends.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he graduated high school and was drafted to serve in the U. S. Army Field Artillery from 1940 to 1944, stationed in Brisbane, Australia.

“It was my first time away from home,” he said. “It made me the man I am today. It was an honor to serve. The Army is great for young people to learn and prepare for life.”

Returning home to America in 1944, he built a business manufacturing burlap bags in Des Moines. He spent 40 years working hard to care for his family of five: mother, father, a sister and two brothers.

Canter said he regrets never getting married and raising children. “I was always working, too busy to think of dating.”

He said he admires people who are unafraid, honest and ambitious.

He enjoys watching sports on television. His favorite teams are the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins and the Iowa Hawkeyes football team. His music preference is swing and symphony. His favorite movies are “The Way We Were” and “A Night to Remember.”

Mort Mazor is a South Florida Community News correspondent.

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