At Generations at Oakton Pavilion, we had the pleasure of celebrating a remarkable milestone—Roberto Sr., one of our cherished residents, turned 106 years old on August 22. His age may well earn him the title of the oldest person living in the Des Plaines community.
His son, Roberto Jr., who visits him every day, proudly shares, “His mind is clear, and he holds onto so many great memories. He’s a very special man.”
Roberto Jr. recalls how his father, born in Cuba in 1918, had a vibrant life as both a history professor and an attorney before moving his family to the U.S. in 1969. “He always had a passion for education and the law,” Roberto Jr. says with pride.
Once settled in Chicago, Roberto Sr. was determined to continue his education. He attended Lakeview High School to learn English and went on to earn degrees from Loyola, Northeastern, and Lewis universities. At the age of nearly 70, Roberto Sr. earned his law degree from Lewis University. “He did it because he was a lawyer in Cuba and wanted to honor that part of his life, even though he never practiced law here,” his son shares.
Roberto Sr. spent the majority of his career working for Sears Roebuck & Co. in Chicago as a supervisor in the catalog department. After retiring at age 70, and following the passing of his wife in 2006, he moved to Des Plaines to be closer to Roberto Jr., while his daughter lives in Miami.
“One of the first things my father told me was that the greatest blessing for him and my mother was the opportunity they found in this country,” Roberto Jr. reflects. “He always reminded us to never forget that.”
To honor his 106th birthday, Roberto Jr.’s wife baked a special cake, which was shared with residents and staff on Roberto’s floor. It was a day filled with warmth, celebration, and appreciation for a life well-lived. At Generations at Oakton Pavilion, we are grateful to be part of such a beautiful story.
