Oldest resident of Club Longboat turns 99 years old

The oldest resident at Club Longboat just turned 99 years old.

Known for his storytelling skills, Charles Resnick got his first story to tell the day he was born, Nov. 4, 1924. 

“When his mother got out of labor with Charlie, she didn’t ask if he was a boy or a girl,” said Rochelle Zeidman, his daughter-in-law. “It was an election year, so she asked who the president was.”

“He's full of gratitude and full of positive energy,” added Zeidman. “He's just not a worrier. He just is a real positive thinker and he sprinkles everything with stories. I think life is more fun that way.” 

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Zeidman organized a surprise birthday party for Resnick in the gazebo of Club Longboat on Nov. 4. His friends from around the condominium came for refreshments, cake and to celebrate their exceptional friend.

Originally from Massachusetts, Resnick is a retired lawyer who graduated from Harvard University. He served in the army during World War II in the U.S. and in China. During his service, he assessed weather conditions for the strategy and the safety of pilots.

Resnick has lived on Longboat for the past 30 years. He was drawn to it because of the popularity of tennis at Club Longboat. Resnick has played tennis since he was a teenager and has a huge passion for it. He said that he and his late wife Jackie got to build a wonderful community around the love of the sport there.

A big part of Resnick’s life is staying active. Every morning, he will do Royal Canadian Air Force exercises and makes sure to take walks throughout Club Longboat when he can. Resnick said the exercises are something he has been doing for a long time and are a great way to keep him active at his age. 

“There was an incident that caused us to see a physical occupational therapist,” said his son, Andrew Resnick. “They asked him, ‘Where do you do your exercises?’ He said, ‘On the floor.’ ‘On the floor? We'll have to change that.’ And then I said, ‘Why do you want to decrease this functionality?’ His health, in part, comes from the fact that every morning he gets down to the floor and gets up from the floor. Having that ability as an old person is really important, because it means if you fall, you can get up.”

Resnick also rode his bike down Longboat Key many times until he was around 95. Now, he sticks to the stationary bike in the Club Longboat gym. Resnick also tries to hit tennis balls on the tennis courts when he can. “I’m waiting for the 100 and over league,” said Resnick. “If they have a tournament for players age 100 and over, I will enter.”

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Ever since moving to the Key, Resnick has made an effort to be involved in the community. He was on multiple committees and on the Board of Directors for Club Longboat. Resnick said he loves to get together with his friends from around Club Longboat and catch up with them. Resnick also enjoys swimming in the Gulf of Mexico when he can and going sailing with his son.

“My father has always had an exceptionally high level of personal integrity,” said Andrew Resnick. “He is principled. He's honest, and doesn't deviate. And it's something that is a stark contrast to many of our leaders today.”

Everyone at his party raved about how Resnick is a community pillar and they couldn’t imagine Club Longboat without him.

“He has a phenomenal outlook on life,” said Pam Stites, a Club Longboat resident.“He is very inspiring to all of us.

Resnick was so pleased with the turnout of the party that he is already looking forward to turning 100 years old. “Next year is the big blowout party, right?” said Resnick.

Resnick’s go-to-catchphrase is “better to be lucky than smart” and he continues to live his life this way.

He said, “Luck has gotten me this far.”