January 3, 2020 at 5:15pm

At 100 years old, Chuck Sansone loves to share his gift of singing by performing with the Northbrook Park District Park Larks.

A member of the District Senior Center for 23 years, he can often be found singing his signature tune “That’s Amore” when the Park Larks perform at various events and facilities in the area. He turned 100 on January 3, 2020

“It’s a song of love,” Sansone said. “Being Italian, I’m always thinking about love.”

Sansone discovered his passion for music at the Terminal Theatre in Chicago, where he was selected at age 12 to perform in a stage production of “The Mickey Mouse Club.” He continued to sing after being drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II. A graduate of DePaul University, Sansone worked as a physical education teacher for Highland Park High School before serving in the Navy.

“You know, I can’t read a note of music,” Sansone said. “I was always just singing a song and keeping a good tune.”

As a resident of Northbrook for more than 50 years, Sansone met his wife, Elda, at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago and worked as a salesman. The couple have two children, a son and daughter and will celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary this year. Sansone joined the Park Larks in the 1990s shortly before his retirement.

“He’s determined to keep going and to be who he’s always been—a guy who performs and takes his work seriously,” said Bill Schwartz, concert coordinator for the Park Larks. “Whenever he performs, he gets the most enthusiastic applause.”

In addition to staying active with the Park Larks, Sansone credits his longevity to taking walks—a habit he started following triple bypass surgery in his 50s. Up until a few years ago, he also played golf regularly at Sportsman’s Country Club.

“The Northbrook Park District has been a big part of my life,” Sansone said. “I’m fortunate to be living the life I want to lead.”

Interested in joining Chuck with the Park Larks? The group rehearses Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am at the Senior Center, located inside the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Avenue.
For more information, call 847-291-2995 to stop by a rehearsal.