Boca Raton Resident Steve Laine Celebrates 97th Birthday

The lifelong submariner and community leader has spent nearly a century serving others locally and globally.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:08am

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of an elderly man and woman walking together, their figures blurred in a warm, hazy light, conveying a sense of tranquility and the passage of time.At 97, Steve Laine remains active and engaged in his Boca Raton community, walking daily with his partner Denise Falabella.Boca Raton Today

Steve Laine, a 97-year-old resident of Boca Raton, Florida, is celebrating his birthday on April 4, 2026. Born in 1929 in Sacramento, California, Laine has had an extraordinary life story, serving in the Navy Reserve, working in the baking industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and being heavily involved with Rotary International for over 70 years.

Why it matters

Laine's life of service and community involvement over the past century makes him a remarkable resident of Boca Raton, and his story will be featured in the city's upcoming 'Faces of Boca' series highlighting remarkable local residents.

The details

Laine joined the Navy Reserve as a teen and later became a base commander. He followed a family tradition in baking, working in cities across the country and developing expertise in food systems. Laine later served in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Nixon and Ford administrations. Locally, he has been involved with Rotary International for over 70 years, founding two Rotary clubs in Boca Raton and championing causes like PolioPlus, literacy, and clean water. Globally, he established a vocational school for young women in Guatemala and installed solar-powered ovens in Haiti.

  • Steve Laine turns 97 years old on April 4, 2026.
  • Laine has been involved with Rotary International for over 70 years.

The players

Steve Laine

A 97-year-old resident of Boca Raton, Florida who has spent nearly a century serving others locally, nationally, and internationally.

Denise Falabella

Laine's partner, with whom he takes daily walks.

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What they’re saying

“Even at 97, Laine takes daily walks with his partner, Denise Falabella, and remains socially and civically active.”

— Caris Weinberg, Author

What’s next

Laine's extraordinary life story will be featured as part of The Boca Raton Tribune's upcoming series, 'Faces of Boca', debuting this month and highlighting remarkable residents of the city.

The takeaway

At 97 years old, Steve Laine's lifelong dedication to service, both locally and globally, makes him a true inspiration and a remarkable resident of Boca Raton. His story exemplifies the power of community involvement and a commitment to making a positive impact over the course of a long and fulfilling life.