There are few Rhode Island centenarians, if any, like Johnston’s Orlando Ricci.
Consider the fact that he still lives alone and independently, getting his own meals and driving daily.
Those are just three reasons why people like Tony Zompa and countless others were calling Ricci “an amazing phenomenon” during one of the four 100th birthday bashes held in his honor last week.
“He’s our oldest member,” said Zompa, the Johnston Senior Center’s executive director. “This is his second home. The people here love him.”
Perhaps that’s the reason Donna Delmonico, Elaine Marineillo, Elizabeth and 55 other people sent along special “Happy Birthday” wishes after Debbie Ross, the center’s public relations director, posted the news on the center’s website.
“A very happy birthday from sunny Florida,” wrote Angela Fasano Rose. Gloria Renzi added: “I hope you have many more. I remember when you and your [late] wife [Maria] came to the center. She was a lovely lady. I hope you put her picture that I drew of her back on the wall. Happy birthday, Orlando!”
The birthday wishes even came in Italian, from ladies like Livia Mastrogiuseppe.
“Happy birthday – buon compleanno tanti auguri,” she wrote.
The common query throughout all of last week’s birthday celebrations – and Tuesday night’s meeting of the St. Rocco’s Holy Name Society – was: “What’s your secret to living to 100?”
To which Orlando Ricci, his daughter Elizabeth Souza and son Dennis Ricci mused during last Thursday’s celebration at the senior center: “His answer is always if I tell you my secret, then it will no longer be a secret!”
Perhaps Linda Giorgio, the director of marketing at the Golden Crest Nursing Home who helped make the occasion extra special with some special cupcakes, said it best about people who live an entire century.
“It’s called socialization,” Giorgio said. “Mr. Ricci comes here five days a week and has lunch. He drives here alone, too! The staff and everyone love him.”
To which Zompa added while looking around at the widescreen televisions and specially made poster for Ricci’s big day: “Orlando really enjoys the camaraderie and just being with friends every day for lunch. We have many people who come here for the socialization as much as the food.”
Zompa, who read and presented Ricci with special proclamations from Mayor Joseph Polisena and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, went on: “Friends and the staff help lift our member’s spirits and therefore help lengthen our people’s lives. The center becomes a second home for many of our people and they’re happy to see friends and smiling faces. All of this makes for good mental health and a longer life.”
Ross, who made a unique birthday card on her computer, added: “We do our best to lift the spirits of our members, but seeing Orlando and the other diners each day with smiles and enjoying their lunch and time with friends actually lifts our spirits.”
“This place keeps him going,” said Orlando’s son Dennis. “The Johnston Senior Center is his salvation. The people here do an incredibly great job!”
Meanwhile, Orlando told many people at places like the senior center, the famed Old Canteen Restaurant and Chapel Grille, where he was treated to private birthday parties and special cakes last week: “The Johnston Senior Center is my second home. As long as they’re open, I’m here!”
“Famous people like Frank Sinatra, Anthony Quinn, Lorne Greene, Elli Wallach and Ingrid Bergman, just to name a few, were born the same year [1915] as Orlando,” said Ron Montella, president of the St. Rocco’s Holy Name Society, during Tuesday night’s surprise celebration. “Our president was Woodrow Wilson, and Orlando would see 16 more come and go. Benedict XV was the pope in 1915, and Orlando has seen seven more popes.”
“He’s still got that quick wit,” Johnny Ricci, St. Rocco’s Mr. Everything, said of Orlando Ricci – no relation – who is one of two children still living among the dozen children of Joseph and Angelica Ricci. “He still has all his faculties and his handshake is, in fact, stronger than most men half his age.”
“Dad never, ever yelled at us,” Orlando’s daughter Elizabeth said. “He was a man of few words. He never got angry or mad at us, and he was always there for us. We’re lucky he’s so independent and still driving. We love our dear old dad!”
That seemed to be the norm throughout Orlando Ricci’s 100 years.
From his days at Thornton Grammar School to his time in the U.S. Army, through to when he was recruited by a “big boss” at the former Speidel Watch Manufacturing Company in Providence, Orlando always seemed to be one of a kind.
A one-time machinist, who first worked at Osbry and Barton Jewelry and Ring Company and later made watchbands at Speidel, he also always seemed to have a unique way and story.
For example, Dennis related: “Dad was still playing golf until he was 98, and the only reason he stopped was that mom got sick. He played in a foursome named the ‘Walking Wounded.’ Dad was the only one who walked all around Triggs Golf Course [in Providence]. The other three rode in one cart. Now, they’re all gone, and dad’s still walking.”
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