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Smooth Sailing Toward Life Milestone

Carl Orth/SUNCOAST

Howard Kase celebrated his 100th birthday with his pals at Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind. The Holiday man spent 31 years in the U.S. Navy.

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: March 13, 2009

Updated:

PORT RICHEY - Cars and planes were still novel inventions the year Howard Kase was born.

A naval retiree, Kase has sailed through life to reach the milestone of his 100th birthday this week. The Holiday resident recently celebrated hitting triple digits with his friends at the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind with a banquet at the agency's Port Richey office.

Kase served 31 years in the U.S. Navy. He spent much of the time with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific, much of it as chief petty officer.

"I loved the U.S. Navy," Kase proclaimed as he sat his Navy retiree cap down on the table. "A wonderful vocation."

"He's been around the world," Sylvia Stinson-Perez, the Lighthouse executive director, marveled. He is quite a character, she added.

After the Navy, Kase served countless years as a train engineer for the New York City subway system, his wife Fredes added. After migrating to the Holiday area, Kase discovered Lighthouse by accident only about two years ago. He was immediately struck by the kinship of the Lighthouse clients and staff. He forged some new friendships and remained as active as ever.

Asked the inevitable question about his longevity, Kase said he has never smoked nor drank alcohol.

"I've lived a clean life," Kase commented. "I'm very happy and content with life."

Kase blew out the candles on his 100th birthday cake.

"God bless you all!" Kase proclaimed to his party guests.

"We'll have a party for your 101st birthday, Howard," Perez said.

"And I'll be there!" Kase shouted as a big smile crossed his face.

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