100-Years Old & Celebrated at Governor’s Centenarian Brunch

May 12, 2017 6:07 pm

By: Tim Studebaker

JOHNSTON, R.I. – When the annual Governor’s Centenarian Brunch first started 40 years ago, this year’s honorees were only about 60 years old. Now, it’s their turn as they reach the century mark!

More than 60 centenarians from all across Rhode Island were honored at Friday’s brunch, all of them 100 years old, or older, by the end of this year. We caught up with one of them to ask what it means to make it to that mark.

Louise Greco is 100 years old and says, "I’ve had cancer a few times, and I survived them all. So, I guess I’m lucky to be here. I go to bed about the same time and get up about the same time, eat at the same time."

Governor Gina Raimondo asked the rest of the centenarians at Friday’s brunch: What’s the secret to looking so good in the triple digits?

From the podium, Raimondo took suggestions: "Italian food! Okay, I support that…Italian food. Chocolate milk! Be happy! That’s a good one."

Raimondo says, "It’s a happy day. It’s a day to be with family, celebrate, and really honor the life stories of people who’ve made it to 100. So I love it."

Special recognition was also given to the oldest and youngest members of this exclusive group.

Charles Fogarty is the Director of Elderly Affairs for the state, and jokes that he checks IDs to make sure everyone really is 100.

Fogarty says, "The support they get from their families, and the fact that even at 100, they still love life. They still contribute immeasurably. It’s just a great opportunity to say thank you to those folks."