Thanksgiving is a special time of year at Belmont Village, where 26 centenarians reside. One resident in particular will receive special attention this holiday: Harold Rischman, who lives in Belmont Village’s Thousand Oaks community, will celebrate his 105th birthday on Thanksgiving Day.

Harold Rischman

Rischman was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1910, the year President Taft declared much to be thankful for in his annual Thanksgiving proclamation, citing increases in population and in harvests, and a general condition of international peace. It was also a time when a Thanksgiving dinner including celery, cranberry sauce and cream potatoes cost 50 cents.

Much has changed, but Rischman looks back fondly on the “good old days” and his loving grandmother who took care of him as a child. He was too young to serve in World War I and too old to serve in World War II. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, firing a coal steam engine of a locomotive.

Rischman was married in 1935 to Florence Roehorbein, and they had four daughters. The family moved in 1950 to California where Rischman earned his real estate license and enjoyed a long career as a realtor. He is a grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 25.

Rischman ‘s wife passed away in 2000. He said they enjoyed many years of traveling and camping after retirement. He said his favorite pastime is fishing, and today he plays an Xbox fishing game with his grandkids.

Belmont Village Senior Living has six communities in the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, Westwood, Burbank, Encino, Rancho Palos Verdes and Thousand Oaks. For information, visit www.belmontvillage.com.