The extraordinary lives of one 105 and two 103-year-old New York City residents were celebrated in Bayside with dancing, food and fun.
On July 28, centenarians Jean Mastrangelo, Pauline Kossar and Irving Black were thrown a grand birthday affair at the Catholic Charities Bayside Senior Center, located along the Horace Harding Expressway.
Jean Mastrangelo, who celebrated 103 years on July 20, was born at her family home in Brooklyn and is the sixth of eight children. She attended Manhattan Industrial School where she studied millinery and has two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. On Fridays, she takes the bus to the center to dance.
Mastrangelo said the secret to longevity is to always be happy and never argue.
Pauline Kossar, who turned 105 on July 21, was born in her family home in New York City. Owner of the famed Kossar’s Bialy Bakery, Kossar still enjoys visiting the family business. She has three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and enjoys playing Bingo at the center.
For Kossar, the secret to a long life is hard work and spending quality time with family.
Irving Black, who will celebrate his 103rd birthday on Aug. 23, was born in Latvia and came to the United States when he was seven. He attended Manhattan’s Cooper Union College and served as a civil engineer for the U.S. Navy during World War II. He has been married to his wife, Dorothy, for 76 years. The couple have three children, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
According to Black, the secret to longevity is love, compromise and dancing with Dorothy.
After lunch, birthday cake and dancing, each centenarian was presented certificates of recognition from local lawmakers, including Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Tony Avella and Councilman Barry Grodenchik.
The Catholic Charities Bayside Senior Center is located at 221-15 Horace Harding Expy. and offers a range of activities and services, including art classes, games, workshops, lunches and organized outings.
See more photos from the event below.
