Bingo tournaments and knitting sessions aren’t enough to lure one local resident towards retirement.
Elsie Cantor, 88, has worked at ADI Management in Jamaica Estates for 65 years where she handles mail, checks and rent payments.
Staying active and remaining involved has proved vital towards holistic wellbeing for Cantor throughout her years as a worker for the property management organization.
“I’m not one of those people who play cards all day at my age,” she said. “I don’t know anybody who has worked at one place for as long as I have. Working here for 65 years is a milestone,” she added.
Cantor received her first job working for a textile production company during World War II.
At 23, she began working at her current occupation with the private real estate organization where she helped vendors manage and rent apartment buildings.
In fact, Cantor has witnessed three generations, from grandfather to grandson, of managers throughout her career at ADI Management.
She said that “they’re very good people and they’ve treated me like I’m at home.”
“I wouldn’t tell anyone to work somewhere for too long; it just so happens that I work for a very nice family that I’ve gotten to know throughout the years,” Cantor added.
Mandy, Cantor’s daughter, said that she has seen her mother grow and strengthen during her time with the property management company. She also said that she feels a sense of pride seeing her mother energized while working at her age.
“I don’t know anyone who has done what she has done,” Mandy said. “She’s certainly contributed a lot to this company. Over the years, renting apartments, doing the bookkeeping, taking care of times when the original owners go away for months at a time and she would run the whole show here, it makes me proud.”
Several employees at ADI Management have worked with Cantor for numerous years. Many of them say that they’ve grown such a strong relationship with her because of her contributions to the organization.
Although the 88-year-old has set an esteemed track record with the company, she doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon.
“I’m not sure when I’m going to retire, but as of right now, I don’t think about it.” Cantor said.
“I would suggest that anybody, if they can, to work as long as they can because that keeps you going. It keeps your mind going. I always try to be as active as I can. Sure, I’m not as active as I was, but it’s a lot better than just sitting at home and doing nothing,” she added.
