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A Hundred Years And Counting

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By PAUL CATALA pcatala@mediageneral.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 1, 2009

When these party goers were born, there weren't any video cassette recorders or digital cameras recording the event. As a matter of fact, those marvels of modern recording didn't even exist until these folks were well into adulthood.

Under a steady stream of well-wishers and flashing digital recorders and cell phones, 25 living Sun City Center residents over 100 years old were recognized at the 18th Annual Centenarian Birthday Party March 19.

Hosted by Sun Trust Bank and Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center, the celebration was held at the Sun City Center SunTrust branch building, 1525 Rickenbacker Drive.

During the ceremony, 13 of the 25 living centenarians residing in Sun City Center were acknowledged and honored by master of ceremony and columnist Ernest Hooper along with fellow emcee Jeff Dunn, executive vice-president and SunTrust private wealth management manager. Hooper is the grandson of Ann Nixon Cooper, recently recognized in President Barack Obama's inaugural speech for being 106 and going to the polls to vote on Election Day in Atlanta. Hooper gave short biographies of the guests, including West Tampa native Fermin Montes de Oca, 105; Angelina Padula, 106, a native of Italy; and Julia Deane, 100, of Queens, N.Y.

Padula was the oldest honoree, born Feb. 22, 1903, in Montemore, Italy. Montes de Oca, who still works in the gift shop of Sun Towers retirement and rehabilitation community, sang a rendition of Louis Armstrong's "It's A Wonderful World."

More than 100 guests attended, some representing local organizations, such as the Sun City Center Community Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Security Patrol, the Emergency Squad, LifePath Hospice and the Good Samaritan Fund.

Many of the guests brought gifts for each centenarian including proclamations and scratch-off tickets. The Sun City Flowers and Gift store donated boutonnières and corsages, said Keith Soloninka, assistant vice president of sales and marketing for the Tampa Region of SunTrust.

"After each honoree was recognized, each company or organization that brought a gift had a chance to address the centenarians and inform the guests of the gift," said Soloninka. "We ended by singing God Bless America and serving cake, ice cream and punch which each centenarian appeared to enjoy."

After the ceremony, Edna Beck, 103, a retired secretary from New Jersey, said she saw more folks her age and older than she saw at last year's party - and at her age, that's a good thing.

"I thought it was very respectful," said Beck, a Sun City Center resident of 37 years. "It was a great celebration and I enjoyed the man (de Oca) singing."

Also attending were Phyllis Busansky, Hillsborough County supervisor of elections; representatives from State Attorney Mark Ober's and Hillsborough County commissioner Kevin Beckman's offices; Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner; and a representative from Sen. Rhonda Storms' office.

Jeff Dunn, executive vice president, SunTrust Wealth and Investment Management, said the bank is honored to host the celebration. He said staff looks forward to the celebrants' visit.

"It's an inspiring event to see such talented people come together and share their life experiences with all of the guests and honorees," he said. "By seeing so many centenarians, there is no doubt that Sun City Center is great place to live and keeps people young at heart."

During the party, musical selections were performed by Sun City Center's "Sun City Slickers," a barbershop quartet, who performed "Happy Birthday" along with a few other selections, including "God Bless America."

Deane, who was born Jan. 11, 1909, said she is proud of reaching her age and that she has good health and, despite her family's history of arthritis, she doesn't need any prescriptions. If there was anything she could pass on to the youth of today it would be, "Eat right, exercise, have some spirituality and know how to budget."

Reporter Paul Catala can be reached at (813) 865-1554 or pcatala@mediageneral.com

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