LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – Old age is unavoidable; picture living to be 100 years old. Vincent Shank, 106, attracted recognition for being one of the oldest remaining POW WWII vets.

Vincent died in his sleep over the weekend. Nancy Shank, his daughter, regarded her father as her greatest friend.

“He was my best buddy and he made me laugh every day,” Nancy said. “He loved life and learning things and he always said he was going to live through his hundreds.”

In November, a World War II POW interviewed Vincent about attending the Veteran’s Day Parade.

“The turnout was fantastic with millions of people,” Vincent told 8 News Now at the time. “They were grateful, and all wanted to shake my hand and say how great it was to see us and talk to us in person.”

Nancy said the outpouring of love has been overwhelming since his death on Sunday.

Vincent began his career as a 1st Lieutenant aviation navigator in the United States. Army Air Corps and quickly rose to prominence as a popular musician in the Las Vegas Valley.

He has appeared with prominent showbiz personalities such as Rat Pack members.

“He was on the road with many big bands, and they came to Vegas in 1951 when it was a very small town and he started playing at all the hotels. The Sands, The Silver Slipper, and El Rancho,” Nancy explained.

He played the trumpet and the trombone and retired from the music scene in 1981, at the age of 65.

He and his wife Dorothy would thereafter spend their time between Vegas and Hawaii. Vincent completed his first marathon at the age of 80.

While his health was always his number one concern, Nancy stated that even on his bad days, he still led with a smile and was always there for people.

“I know he didn’t always feel well, but he never let on and never complained about anything and always said the most important thing is to help your fellow man,” she explained.

Vincent will be cremated and buried next to his late wife in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

Nancy attributed her father’s lifespan to exercise and a vegetarian diet, especially his passion of juicing.

Credits: 8NewsNow

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