A Pennsylvania World War II veteran celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month, calling it the best day of his life and revealing the secret to his extraordinary longevity.
Frank Pugliano Sr. donned his World War II veteran’s jacket and hat as he enjoyed a birthday celebration with family and friends last weekend at Boyce Park outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Small American flags were displayed on tables in the park.
“It’s the best day of my life,” he said. He told WTAE. “After what I’ve been through, I never thought I’d be here at 103. You never know what’s going to happen. A lot of my friends didn’t make it, but I did.”
Priano told the outlet that Coca-Cola and dark chocolate helped him live to age 103.
The Italian-born soldier immigrated to the United States at the age of six and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1942. According to the Tribune-Review.
Priano enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for three years in the Pacific Theater, surviving a Japanese torpedo attack while escorting a convoy to Luzon in the Philippines.
He says he saw many young people lose their lives during the attacks.
Priano was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
After returning to the United States, Priano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Straw, and they were married for 65 years until her death in 2011.
After completing his military service, he became a diesel mechanic specializing in heavy machinery.
At the time of his centenarian milestone, Priano said he had made it to 100 thanks to “good Italian genes” and an active lifestyle.
“The doctor said, ‘Whatever you have to do, do it,'” Priano told the paper, boasting that apart from a sore knee, he was in perfect health.
“His health is amazing, he just doesn’t look his age. His mental health, everything … it’s just amazing,” Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr., said on what would have been his father’s 100th birthday.
At 103 years old, he continues to mow the lawn and maintain his house to stay active.
Members of the Greatest Generation still keep up with the times, using iPads daily and running their own Facebook accounts.
“That’s how I stay in touch with my relatives,” Priano said.
He recently worked at a housing community for those over 55, maintaining the clubhouse until he was 98 years old.
According to the Tribune, Priano said his favorite meals were three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee from King’s Family Restaurant and pasta fagioli from his favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden.
In March, Vincent Dransfield, a former volunteer fire chief in New Jersey and great-grandfather of seven, turned 110.
Dransfield is one of the few men over 110 years old and has led a healthy life, except for some knee pain. “today. “
He lives alone without a home helper or special assistance, cooks his own simple meals, navigates his three-storey home and drives “fairly well” every day without any issues.
