British ColumbiaIrv Radatzke’s friends say he’s known for his service to his community, both on the frontlines of the Second World War and back home during times of peace — and they hope others will honour his contributions through holiday cards.Irv Radatzke is known for giving back to community, and his friend hopes others will return the favourCourtney Dickson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 30, 2025 10:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Irv Radatzke just turned 100 on Nov. 13, just two days after the Second World War veteran observed Remembrance Day while recovering from a fall in hospital. (Submitted by Moe Boyle)When Moe Boyle met Irv Radatzke, more than 20 years ago, she didn’t believe him when he told her his age. “I was a crossing guard for a school and he would walk down the street with three dogs, and we just started talking,” she told CBC’s On The Coast. “He told me his age. I didn’t believe him, so the next day he came down with his driver’s licence to prove his age — and it was friends forever by then.”Boyle celebrated Radatzke’s 100th birthday with him on Nov. 13 — two days after Remembrance Day, an important day for the Second World War veteran.Irv Radatzke and Moe Boyle met more than 20 years ago, when Boyle was a crossing guard and struck up a friendship with Radatzke, who walked his dogs nearby. (Submitted by Moe Boyle)Now, to honour his service — both during his time on the frontlines and in his community — Boyle is asking people to send Radatzke Christmas cards, hoping to lift his spirits as he remains in the hospital while recovering from a fall. “I’ve gotten so many letters from all over the place, and they’re not only wishing him a happy birthday, but they’re also thanking him for being a soldier,” Boyle said. “Everybody is happy to do this. Irv does not ask for any of this. People want to do it.”WATCH | Hospital stay for veteran sparks Christmas card drive: 100-year-old veteran’s hospital stay sparks community Christmas card drive A 100-year-old B.C. veteran who took a serious fall on Remembrance Day will soon have some cheer entering his hospital room. Irv Radatzke’s friend Mo Boyle is organizing a community campaign, dubbed Operation Irv, to deliver 100 Christmas cards to the centenarian. Boyle said Radatzke is known in the New Westminster community for helping others, Boyle said. “Whether it’s to build a fence or plant flowers, he’s always been the one that you could rely on,” she added. “He’s never asked for anything in return. This man is so humble. He really is the sweetest man on the Earth.”Moe Boyle, left, is seen with Irv Radatzke. Boyle is hoping to gather as many Christmas cards as she can to honour Radatzke’s contributions to his community. (Submitted by Moe Boyle)Second World War veteranThat willingness to help is something that was common among Second World War veterans, according to Greg Passey, a veteran and trauma psychiatrist. “It’s an inspiration for all us younger veterans,” Passey said. “They’ve forged the way for us, they’ve shown us the way.”Passey, along with a group of fellow veterans, spent Remembrance Day with Radatzke in the hospital.A group of veterans salute Irv Radatzke as they visited him in hospital on Nov. 11, 2025. (Submitted by Moe Boyle)On that day, they observed a moment of silence for fallen soldiers, and the group saluted Radatzke. “It was probably one of the best Remembrance Days we’ve ever had,” Passey said. “He’s such a nice guy to be with. There’s good and evil in the world, and he’s one of the good ones.”Radatzke’s discharge papers indicated he has a Canadian volunteer medal and a France-Germany campaign medal from his time in the armed forces, according to Passey.Christmas cardsBoyle hopes as many people as possible will send good wishes by way of Christmas cards to Radatzke this holiday season. Some cards have already arrived — including one from the RCMP’s cybercrime unit in Toronto. It reads, in part: “Our mandate is to protect Canadians from cyber criminals, but we would not have had this country to protect if it was not for you who fought for everything we have today. Thank you for your service.” ABOUT THE AUTHORCourtney Dickson is an award-winning journalist with CBC News based in Vancouver, B.C.With files from On The Coast
100-year-old B.C. veteran inspires Christmas card drive
