In 2000, Arthur Frogel and his wife left South Florida to visit their daughter in Vermont. What was supposed to be a two-week vacation turned into a 20-year move. At age 80, Frogel wanted a part-time job to keep his mind and body sharp. He applied to a Home Depot in New Hampshire and was hired in the paint department. Within a week, Frogel was asked to work full-time.

Twelve years later, Frogel and his wife decided it was time to move back to South Florida, and he moved to the Home Depot store on the corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd five years ago.

Since then, he has been a valued full-time employee in the paint department. Recently, store employees helped Frogel celebrate his 97th birthday.

When asked what makes him continue to enjoy coming to work, Frogel replied, “What should I do? Sit on the couch? … I like having people around me and I like the employees and customers in the store.”

Frogel is a U.S. Army veteran who enlisted at age 17 and served in World War II. He later became an entrepreneur and owned several businesses, including a New York City taxi fleet, restaurants, five hotels, and more.

Frogel still drives, makes his own lunch for work, and is an avid reader. He enjoys books by JD Robb, James Patterson, and others. The father of five, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather of over 20 children, he is an inspiration to all.

When asked what lessons he would like to share, Frogel said he has been very happily married to his current wife for 45 years. He also felt it was important to mention that he lost a son to a drug overdose at the age of 61. He advised anyone struggling with addiction to seek help.

In the meantime, if you stop by the Home Depot store in the Wellington/Royal Palm Beach area, stop by the paint department and say hello to Arthur Frogel.