Waterford resident John L’Hote, center, 106 was presented with the Boston Post Cane at home on Dec. 28, 2023. Also pictured, daughter Gertrude, left, and son-in-law Kurt. Courtesy John Bell
WATERFORD — John L’Hote, 106 and the newest recipient of Waterford’s Boston Post Cane, is the embodiment of the American Dream, from his middle-America upbringing to the chance circumstances that led him to true love and a marriage that lasted 80 years, his service during World War II and a commitment to life-long learning that continues today.
John was 100-years-young when he became a Maine resident. His first century was spent in Michigan but when his daughter and son-in-law Gertrude (Tru) and Kurt Hilarides relocated to Waterford to be closer to their grandchildren, he made the move with them.
“My father is one of the few people to live through two pandemics,” Tru said. “He was born in 1917, during World War I. Both of his parents were sick from the Spanish flue, but survived.” One hundred and two years later, he made it through the second pandemic of his lifetime.
Asked what it was like to grow up in a completely different century and era, John said his goal as a kid was to make some money.
He sold magazines door-to-door. His uncle, whose career was opening up new pharmacies, paid him $1 for each night he worked to help with store setup. Along with all the ice cream he could eat.
An avid reader, John was a dedicated library patron from a very young age. At one point during his youth a new librarian in town earned his ire when she did not approve of the books he tried to check out, telling him she would provide him with more age-appropriate materials.
Another librarian better acquainted with John set her colleague straight, explaining that he was reading his way through the entire library. “He’s still working on it!” laughed Tru while the two spoke with the Advertiser Democrat by phone last week. “Now he is unfortunately limited to large print books. So we now have a big collection at home.”
John’s life would be mapped out in 1934, the day he graduated from Highland Park High School in Detroit, MI.
Having only transferred to the school during his senior year, John did not get the opportunity to strike many friendships. He had never met Harriet Letts, a young lady who by the draw of alphabetical order placement, ended up beside him during their graduation rehearsal.
As John’s and Harriet’s family biography reads, “Something happened in the few minutes that the two sat and talked together. John left wondering how he could manage to see Harriet again.”
His chance came the very next day; as their graduation ceremony began Harriet asked if John would hold onto a man’s wristwatch she had been wearing, as she did not feel it was the right accessory to have on when she accepted her diploma.
Saddled with the responsibility of returning it to her later, John had to interrupt her in conversation with a handsome young man. Despite presuming that the watch belonged to the other man with Harriet, he took the liberty of suggesting he would give her the watch as promised – if she invited him to come call on her. Harriet did just that, telling him that the following Thursday would be good.
During that courtship visit John took her for a walk, the two talked – and then they got ice cream and a relationship was born.
When John learned that Harriett was enrolled to attend Highland Park Junior College, he did what any good man in love would do: he landed a second job with a trucking company, supplementing his income as a steamship porter so he could afford to attend college alongside her.
Following junior college Harriet attended Michigan State College to earn her bachelor’s degree in home economics. From there John entered the workforce, determined that by the time Harriet graduated he would have enough financial stability to support a wife.
“Neither Harriet nor John can remember any discussion about marriage; they seemed to have just taken it for granted,” their biography reads. “It was only after she was at MSC that they bought the engagement and wedding rings.”
Although their plans for a life together had evolved with little formality, when the moment to propose finally came John ended up “being very nervous as he ‘popped the question,’ as it occurred to him for the first time that he had no ‘plan B’ should his beloved tell him no.”
Of course, Harriet did not refuse him. They married July 14, 1939, just weeks after she graduated with her teaching certificate.
John was drafted late during the second World War. His and Harriet’s first child, John Willard “Will” L’Hote, was born in 1944 right before he left the states to serve overseas.
Even the story of Harriet’s announcement to John that she was expecting for the first time could have been scene from an Americana movie. He had piled into a military transport truck on his way to training camp, only to see that his wife was chasing from behind, calling to him she was going to have a baby. Father and son would meet briefly before John deployed.
106-year-old John L’Hote (rear) just received the Boston Post Cane from the town of Waterford. Also pictured from front: daughter Gertrude Ellen, wife Harriet (who lived to be 103), and sons Timothy Pierce and John Willard.
After spending a year-and-a-half serving in France, where he ran a division combat rest center, John returned home early in 1946. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, he enrolled at Michigan State while he and Harriet both continued working. Their second child, Timothy Pierce was born the following year, with Gertrude Ellen coming along in May of 1951.
The family’s life continued to mirror the quintessential American dream for betterment and achievement: John became a professional engineer and built his career in the education sector before returning to school to earn his master’s degree and certificate.
By the time he retired at the age of 64 he had taught in both public schools and colleges, served on community, education and professional boards throughout Michigan, and was honored with a joint act of commendation by the state legislature.
Post retirement, John and Harriet became avid globetrotters. They had already seen much of America on family road trips, especially during school vacations. They took to the seas and air, racking up 14 cruise trips and flying to visit Pacific islands and countries as well as in Europe.
As the couple aged (and aged more than most) health challenges eventually put an end to their traveling lifestyle but they continued to live together in their home, with all three children and their families nearby to help out.
Harriett passed away four years ago, at the age of 103. She and John were married 80 years.
It was then that John embarked on a new adventure, moving with Tru and her family across the country to Maine.
And here, on Dec. 28, 2023, John L’Hote was presented with the esteemed Boston Post Cane by his adopted town.
John L’Hote of Waterford examines the Boston Post Cane the town presented to him last week. “He is very proud of it,” said L’Hote’s son-in-law Kurt Hilarides. Courtesy John Bell
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