Man who's nearly 100 is still working

Anxious employees clinging to their jobs in these uncertain economic times might do well to heed advice from Max Fabian, who next month hits the century mark and is still working.

Make yourself invaluable, he says. And pay attention to the boss.

"Do the job the best you can and listen to the man on top," said Fabian, who turns 100 on March 9. "That's how you keep the job."



Five days a week, Fabian climbs into his Buick LeSabre and drives from his Niles home to A-Z Industries Inc. in Northbrook, where he has worked for more than 20 years as a "jack-of-all-trades." Among his tasks at the electrical wire and cable company are warehouse inspections and retrieving the mail.

It doesn't hurt that Fabian can still drive to work, a rarity for someone his age. According to the Illinois secretary of state's office, only 52 people in Illinois age 100 or older still have a valid licence. Fabian figures he drives about 90 miles a day, including the round trip to work and running errands.

A bachelor, Fabian has dedicated himself to his employer's business. "I think I'm married to the Anixter family," he said.