Glen Ellyn senior celebrates 101st birthday with nod to Olympics

A Glen Ellyn senior surpassed the centenarian club when he celebrated his birthday with a Parisian, coffee-themed party to honor his love of Java and the Olympics.

Raymond Polakowski, a resident of Churchill Place, an Anthem Memory care community, celebrated his 101st birthday July 20 with family and friends at the community located at 190 Geneva Road.

Polakowski, a retired shift foreman with Container Corporation of America, is often called the “Mayor of Quinn Street” because he lived there for 99 years. Married for 56 years, the senior boasts four children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

For “Papa Bear’s” party, Churchill Place was transformed into a French café complete with hot coffee, iced coffee, frozen coffee, croissants, and an Eiffel Tower made from wafer cookies.

“We don’t just celebrate the yearly milestones,” said Ismael Lagunes, life engagement director for Churchill Place. “We consider the resident’s interests and shape each birthday gathering to make them fun events for the entire community to enjoy.”

About Anthem Memory Care

Anthem’s core purpose is to protect, engage, and love people living with memory loss and is committed to provide understanding and significance to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Anthem, based in West Linn, Ore., operates and develops memory care communities in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The company’s website is AnthemMemoryCare.com.