Irish boxing champion, GP, and Centenarian, Dr Joseph Saperia has much to celebrate this year as he turns 100 years old. Joseph has a positive mindset and huge amounts to celebrate in his life with four children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Born on September 10th, 1923, Joseph celebrated his birthday surrounded by family and friends at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Centre in Golders Green.
Attending the Centre over the past two years is helping him follow his own advice for a long and healthy life. He says, “I think it’s important to stay slim and active. I still walk to the community centre from Hendon, which is a 30-minute walk!”
Dr Joseph celebrated his birthday with friends at the community centre recently, he says, “I enjoyed being presented with a birthday cake and chatting to my friends, to the volunteers, and staff at the community centre.”
As part of his celebrations, Joseph decided to participate in Celebrate with Jewish Care for his birthday, as his daughter, Melanie, explains, “Dad was pleased to have a party at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre and asked for no presents and donations to Jewish Care because the community centre has been a lifeline for him since his wife passed away. It’s a place full of care, laughter and of great interest.”
In an interview with Jewish Care, Joseph told us, “I’ve had a very happy life. I try to make the best out of what life throws at you. My one piece of advice to any young people is to be a good student. If you learn a lot, it will help you in life.”
Joseph’s daughter, Melanie confirms that he still loves to read, and his flat is full of books.
Born in Poland, Bialystok, Joseph lived there for a year and a half before he relocated to Belfast where he grew up, went to school, and then to university where he studied medicine and became a GP, which he says is still one of his proudest achievements.
As the war was nearing the end, Joseph says, “I spent two years in the Army, just as the war was ending. I was stationed in North Africa, Libya, where I was living and working in the Army hospital. I really enjoyed it. I enjoy medicine so I enjoyed working there and helping people.”
Joseph also shares that he has a passion for boxing, “In the 30’s I was a keen boxer and I became an Irish champion, so I was very happy with that. I was in tournaments. I had to fight somebody in the morning, and I beat him. They said, come back this afternoon so I did and there was another fight and I beat him too. They told me I was in the final which I couldn’t believe. They said, there is going to be a lot of boxing champions here and a big audience. People are going to pay to come and watch you fight.’
“I fought in the evening, and I won! I became an Irish champion which was pretty great.”
Talking about his family, Joseph said, “My wife, Gwen, and I were married for about 60 years, and she died a few years ago. We had four children, two boys and two girls. Nigel is an economist and lives in Andora, Anne became a dentist and lives in America. Melanie and Malcolm both teach. I am very proud of them all.”
Clare Leahy, Jewish Care’s North West Community Hub Manager from Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre which is based at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green, says, “We all wish a very happy birthday to Joseph. He is fantastic and he has many friends at the centre, and it was a joy for the members, staff and volunteers to celebrate his 100th birthday with him here.
“We all enjoy chatting with Joseph about his life and to know that he walks half an hour to the Centre every day at 100 years old is a huge inspiration to us all to continue to stay as active as we can. We’re very happy that our community centres are a place where people of all ages, including our centenarians, can enjoy a diverse range of meaningful creative, educational and engaging activities and can enjoy being together and celebrating together.”