William Altier (left) and Cutler Altier of Altier Jewelers in Boca Raton are part of the honorary family for the Keep Memories Alive Walk-in-the-Mall event benefiting the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Linda Haase
Cutler Altier spent most of his childhood surrounded by fine jewelry. But the glam and sparkle wasn’t what captured his attention. Not at first, anyway. It was a chance to spend time with his beloved grandfather, Joseph, who, along with his wife, Marjorie, founded Altier Jewelers in Boca Raton in 1960.
That was where Altier usually hung out after a day at Addison Mizner Elementary.
“My grandfather taught me the value of hard work, to be a man of your word and the importance of every person who steps in the door,” says Altier, who is passing down those values to his children, Jett, 3, Tristan, 11, and Lilly, 2. “He was a war hero and I looked up to him. He was my hero.”
His bond with his paternal grandparents was especially poignant since they were a link to his father, who died when Cutler Altier was only 12.
He will carry those treasured memories of his late grandfather with him as he and his wife, Carly, and other family members join the eighth annual Keep Memories Alive Walk: Exercise Your Mind, Nov. 3, to benefit Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center.
The center, on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, was a tremendous help to his grandfather before he died last year, Altier says. “When my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we didn’t know where to turn and Anne (Green) suggested the facility. He went a couple of days a week for about four or five years and he loved it,” recalls Altier, a 31-year-old Boca Raton resident.
“They have the most incredible staff, they are very genuine and passionate about helping others. It is a fantastic place and we are grateful from the bottom of our hearts that he was able to experience it.”
The Altier family is the honorary family in this year’s walk in memory of Joseph Altier.
Altier encourages others to join the walk, which begins at 9 a.m. at Town Center.
Money raised will be used for adult day center scholarships, programs and caregiver support services; last year’s event raised more than $300,000.
The center, part of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, offers services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
“I hope the walk will bring an awareness of the center so people learn there is a wonderful option for people struggling with this cruel disease,” says Altier.
Altier is now president/CEO of Altier Jewelers. But, he says, that position wasn’t handed to him. “My grandparents were old school. If you were working here, you started at the bottom. I started off at the entry level when I was 19 and over time worked my way into heading the business.”
Eighth annual Keep Memories Alive Walk: Exercise Your Mind
To benefit Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, sponsored by the center’s Caring Hearts Auxiliary
When: 9 a.m., Nov. 3.
Where: Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road, north entrance
Tickets: Support the walk by becoming a sponsor and/or walking.
For information, call 297-4066 or visit fauf.fau.edu/memories.
Comments