Asbury Heights resident celebrates 100th birthday
Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter
Stewart Karan, a resident of Asbury Heights retirement home in Mt. Lebanon, recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He is visited daily by his special friend Rose Kozemka.
Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter
Stewart Karan turned 100 years old on Sept. 18.
Stewart Karan said he doesn’t feel old.
In fact, the resident of Asbury Heights retirement home recently said, “I feel young,” when asked about turning 100 years old.
The World War II veteran, known as “Stew,” reached the century mark on Sept. 18, and the day was celebrated by staff and residents at Asbury Heights.
“We did have a very nice party for him,” said Kate Johns, family liaison. “He’s not one for much fuss. He had two pieces of cake … Stew didn’t have too much to say that day, but I think he realized the celebration was for him.”
The new centenarian did say he doesn’t think much about living that long but did credit his years of living in Florida as a contributing factor for his longevity. He is a believer that sunshine has helped keep him stay healthy over the years.
“I found out that the sun is worth so much on people,” he said. “The sun is good for the body.”
Karan was born in Wall to parents who immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia, and spent much of his life in Wilmerding. He never married.
He served in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II.
Author Mark Bando has chronicled the activities of the 101st Airborne Division in his books, and has written about Karan, who missed the Allied invasion of Normandy due to an injury. But Karan was involved in the division’s action around Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge.
Bando writes that Karan was sleeping in the basement of a Belgian Army barracks when a German artillery shell killed some of the cooks upstairs in the same building.
Previous birthdays have included visits from others who served as part of the 101st Airborne Division.
Karan is visited daily by close friend Rose Kozemka, who lives in his home in Bethel Park. The two met at a party more than 40 years ago.
“He’s a very honest person, a good man,” Kozemka said. “He’s good to everyone. People love him.”