By Lauren Wanko
Correspondent
Mario Gazzara is one of more than a dozen Monmouth County residents celebrating a birthday. He couldn’t help but dance with his lady friend.
When asked his age, Mario said, “How old I am? Almost 101!”
Mario celebrated with his son today.
“We hope it doesn’t skip a generation,” said son Paul.
This afternoon, the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers and the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services threw the party, which included it all — music, balloons, flowers, candles and of course the cake.
When asked her age, Irene Starosolsky said, “I forgot.”
Starosolsky gets a pass on forgetting. She’s the oldest one here. She’ll be 104 and says she feels very well. Her secret?
“No secret. God is my secret,” she said.
“Good food, that’s the whole secret. You gotta watch what you eat,” Mario said.
Rose Perrotta turns 101 tomorrow.
“The secret is that I try to live each day to the fullest and I enjoy every bit of it because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” she said.
“I have many patients in their 80s, 90s and several who live past 100,” said Dr. Devrah Lahrir, medical director at Regency. When asked if that’s more than before, he said, “I believe so. We’re seeing more of this.”
Dr. Lahrir says genetics and luck have a lot to do with longevity but factors like not smoking, a healthy diet, staying active and preventative care play major roles in three-digit birthday celebrations.
“The idea of visiting your physician before you have any medical issues or symptoms, I think if we do that we can catch things early, can treat preventatively for hypertension, for diabetes, for high cholesterol,” the doctor said.
In 2013 Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers became a Guinness World Record holder for the largest gathering of centenarians. This the third year they’ve hosted a party in Monmouth County and there are 14 residents here today celebrating being 100 or beyond.
When asked what it’s like to be 102, Ruth Schiff said, “Well I’ve only been there for a week or so, so come back next week and ask me.”
“They know so much history. They are literally walking history books, just so much information we can learn,” said Freeholder John Curley.
“They’re amazing seniors. They’re out there every day living life. They haven’t given up. They’re getting up, getting dressed and changing the world even at 100,” said Pat Lang.
Pat brought her mom Rose to the party, who wore her jewelry and make-up.
“I was all set for this occasion! It’s a great life. I’ve been very happy,” Rose said.
As for Mario, the party’s just beginning. He plans on celebrating all month long.