MONROE — If there were a magazine for centenarians, it would likely find Jules Staloff to be cover-worthy.
Not only has the township resident reached 100 years, but he is in remarkably good health, has an active social life and a devoted family.
For Jules, there is no secret to living a long life.
“I never expected to reach this age, but I have been very lucky,” he said. “I have had a good life, a wonderful wife and children.” And, he noted with a laugh, “I stayed out of jail.”
His son Charles, a resident of Princeton, thinks his father’s positive attitude is part of his secret.
“He never complains. He doesn’t talk about aches and pains. He has lots of interests and a good sense of humor,” Charles said.
Jules was born in 1910 in Vilna, Poland, to a family of craftsmen and artisans. His father Samuel was a tinsmith.
Though Samuel was very talented, his opportunities were limited.
“There was no place for Jews there, so they decided to emigrate,” said Jules’ son Arthur, a resident of East Brunswick.
The decision was a wise one, as the Staloff family achieved great success in America. The family, including Jules and his two brothers, Louis and Jack, came to the U.S. in 1914. They settled in Jersey City and started a fabricating company. When the boys grew up, Louis went into the family business but Jules and Jack chose different routes. Jack became an artist and a master jewelry engraver. His clients included Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace.
“Jack was quite a character,” said Charles, who could be considered the family historian. “He was a ladies’ man and never married. He traveled all over the world. He was a great speaker and was often a guest on the Joe Franklin radio show.”
Jules became the manager of a store in Elmira, N.Y.
“That’s where I met the love of my life, my wife Rose,” he said, referring to his eventual wife of 69 years, who died in 2001.
The Great Depression led to unemployment, and Jules ended up going into the family business, where he remained until he retired at the age of 88.
“I am grateful for the opportunity this country gave me and my children,” Jules said.
Though he describes himself as “an ignorant man,” his children would argue that point.
“My father has always been very intelligent and well read. He taught us to respect books and value an education,” Arthur said.
“Reading is still one of his favorite pastimes. He reads everything and keeps up with what is going on,” Charles said.
In addition to his two sons, Jules, who lives in Monroe’s Clearbrook community, has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Recently, the clan gathered to celebrate his 100th birthday, some coming from as far away as Canada.
There is no arguing that Jules has passed down his respect for education and drive to succeed. Charles and Arthur are both engineers. Arthur is the owner of Alpine Air Conditioning in South River. And among Jules’ grandchildren there is a Princeton professor, a rocket designer and a Harvard graduate. There are also successful artisans and those pursuing other careers.
As for birthday presents for Jules, Arthur and Charles requested there be no gifts and that family members instead give speeches honoring the centenarian.
“When it was over, he gave a speech thanking us all,” said Charles.
The centenarian was thrilled with the festivities.
“It was wonderful. What more could a man want than to be with his family and friends,” Jules said.