Sam Wool, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona and resident of Creve Coeur, turned 102 years old on April 13. Family members, including his daughter, Joyce Rosenfeld; his granddaughter, Emily Rosenfeld, and his great-grandson, 8-year-old Jasper James Graham, celebrated the milestone recently at the home of one of Wool’s nephews.

Said Joyce Rosenfeld: “What can I say about my father, the amazing Sam Wool, whose life has spanned 102 years of our history?  He remembers building crystal sets to hear early radio; experiencing the Mississippi freezing over — becoming an icy roadway.  He remembers the horror of the influenza epidemic of 1918 and he remembers, vividly, the good times at Lincoln Beach on the Meramec River.  He remembers the rooftop dances at the old YMHA on Union where he met his wife Libbie whom he describes as ‘vivacious and perfect for me.’ They were perfect together for 67 years, the last of which he lovingly cared for her in her sad decline.  He has proud memories of the business he started in the height of the Great Depression with his father Louis Wool and how they built General Iron and Steel into the success it was.

“‘Let the good times roll,’ my dad says, often, ‘let the good times roll…’  May they continue to do so in peace and joy.  We all love you Sam.  See you on the golf course…”

Yes, that’s right, at 102, Wool still lives on his own and plays golf as much as three times a week.