Having only moved to Kensington Park a little over a year ago, Myles L. has sure made quite an impact on the Highlands community! Whether he’s making us laugh during Scattergories, stopping by for a drink at Happy Hour, or sporting a head-to-toe, all red ensemble (including his walker) – he’s always up for a good time!
Myles is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Oceanside, Long Island. Growing up, he loved to play sports with his two older brothers, Al and Bud. Due to his love of sports as a child, Myles was heavily involved in extracurricular activities throughout his school years – playing baseball, basketball, football, and even officiating basketball games.
Upon graduating high school, he attended Hofstra College (now Hofstra University) in Hempstead, NY where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Personnel Management in 1955. After college, Myles decided to volunteer for the draft since it was difficult to get a job during that time. Myles ended up joining the Army and was stationed in Japan, where he worked as the Company Clerk at Camp Zama. With his prior experience in officiating high school and college level sports, Myles was selected to officiate the 1957 Far Eastern Army Basketball Championship between Japan and Korea – one of his fondest memories of the time spent in the service.
Following his discharge, Myles went back to Long Island and began working in the retail industry. While attending a Jewish social dance, he met his soon-to-be wife, Evelyn, and they married a year later in 1960. Shortly thereafter, the couple found out they were expecting their first child, Peter, who was born in 1961. In that same year, Myles went into the restaurant business with his father as they opened a “Hamburger Express” in Cedarhurst, NY… A small and unique 40-seat restaurant that delivered quality burgers to their customer’s counter via train!
By 1963, Myles and Evelyn welcomed their second son, David, and decided to move to the Washington, DC area two years later to focus on their family and future endeavors. During this time, Myles opened the Aunt Jemima Pancake House located in Bailey’s Crossroads, VA. But after the arrival of their daughter, Debbie, in 1967, Myles made the decision to leave the restaurant business and pursue a career with the State Department as a Requirements Technician for the Military PX System. In the early 80’s, Myles began a new career in property management, where he remained for over 35 years. In 1991, Evelyn accepted the job of her dreams as the Principal of a German Magnet School and moved out to Kansas City by herself. Myles remained in Maryland to take care of his mother-in-law but made the move to Kansas City about a year and a half later. Sadly, Evelyn passed away just 2 months later while on a work trip in Germany to recruit new teachers for her school.
Myles remained in Kansas City for almost a year, frequently attending a local Synagogue, where he was introduced to a woman named Louisa, who also had 3 children – Valerie, Ian, and Jennifer. The two hit it off and continued a long-distance relationship after he moved back to Silver Spring. Myles and Louisa married shortly after and enjoyed over 13 wonderful years together with their blended family of 6 children and 20 grandchildren. After Louisa passed away in 2009, Myles decided to sell their Silver Spring home and move into an apartment in Rockville, where he lived for the next 11 years while continuing to work as a consultant for a property that he had previously managed.
When asked if he plans to stop working anytime soon, Myles said he considers himself to be “retired, but with a gig on the side… It keeps my mind sharp!” In addition to his weekly trips to his DC office, Myles enjoys traveling, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and spending time with his family. Just a few days ago, Myles returned from a 7-day Columbia and Snake River Cruise with his 26-year-old granddaughter, Cassandra! Myles stated “I’m really fortunate – I have great kids, grandkids, and now 2 great-grandkids. I want to spend as much time with them as possible!” As for the future, Myles will turn 90 years old in February, but says his goal is to live to 105!