Masonic Village at Sewickley celebrates nine centenarians
The combined ages of nine people celebrated at the Masonic Village at Sewickley Nov. 12 totaled 911 years!
Yes, you read that correctly.
Nine residents at the Sewickley retirement living community were lauded for their long and successful lives as centenarians.
The oldest is 106, one is 102, three are 101 and there are four who are 100. The afternoon event honored their life stories and shared information about their wisdom and secrets to longevity.
Those celebrated were Jean Grandovic (100), Mary Jane “Dolly” Hallisey (100), Pauline Jones (102), Harry Joseck (101), Robert Kerr (101), Hugh Pollon (106), Billie Sherman (100), Jack Trostle (100) and Anne Walko (100). The women had yellow corsages and the men wore a yellow boutonniere.
The men are all veterans who, the day after Veterans Day, shared what an honor it was to serve their country.
More than 100 guests, including some staff members and residents from Masonic Village attended.
“It’s amazing to know so many extraordinary people living into their 100s,” said Sharon L. Maas, recreation coordinator. “They inspire us all with their genuine perspectives on life and living it fully.”
The centenarians said they’ve lived this long because they’ve been blessed with good health. They also have tried to have a laid back attitude and to not let life become too stressful.
Through their words they shared that their husbands, wives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – many extended family members were there to celebrate with them — were and still are the highlight of their lives.
They sat at round tables with family members by their side, smiling, laughing and hugging. There was cake — not with 100 candles but with the numbers 1-0-0. And, of course, there was a room full of people singing “Happy Birthday.”
During the presentation, Maas highlighted each senior.
Grandovic married Leo in 1950 — the love of her life. Leo passed away in 1981 and Jean kisses his picture before bed each night.
Jones, who grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, said her favorite song is “Till the End of Time.” She became an Eastern Star at 18 years old and eventually became Grand Ruth in 1982.
Her favorite piece of advice is to go see New York City at least once. Her son Geoffrey was a sound engineer at major Pittsburgh clubs including Graffiti, Club Laga and the Pepsi Cola Roadhouse. He passed eight years ago. She said her life’s greatest achievement was raising him.
Walko worked as a secretary for Leet Township, then as a secretary for American Bridge and then as a secretary for Hopewell Township. She loves polka music and loved to dance. “The Pennsylvania Polka” was played for her.
Joseck, a Coast Guard veteran, went out for the band at Sto-Munroe High School for the tuba. He did not know how to play the tuba but faked it as long as he could. A WWII U.S. Coast Guard veteran, he went water tubing at the age of 85 and worked his way up to vice-president of engineering at Shenango, Inc.
Sherman, who turns 100 on Nov. 24, worked for the Pittsburgh Area Agency on Aging as a volunteer coordinator.
Trostle, who goes by “Jack,” was in the Air Force and flew B24s. His favorite song is the ”Air Force Hymn.”
Hallisey’s father predicted she would live a long life. She always has a positive attitude and her son, Edward Hallisey, shared that should would always tell him “The worst word ever created is ‘can’t’ and that she would always tell her children ‘you can do anything.’”
“I have lived this long because I am happy,” said Hallisey, a life-long Pirates baseball fan who likes to give advice about how they can improve. “I take things the right way. I tried not to worry and I tried to have a positive attitude.”
Edward Hallisey, who attended with Sue Hamilton, said it is blessing to have his mother live this long.
Kerr, who was in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II in Normandy, France, and the Battle of the Bulge, will turn 102 on Dec. 30. He grew up in Apollo and lived in Big Run, Pa., not far from Punxsutawney. He owned and operated Kerr’s Grocery Store there for 40 years.
His grandson A.J. Dereume, of Big Run, is the handler for the Punxsutawney Phil. He said the job was open and he volunteered to do it. He is one of the 15 people in the inner circle on Groundhog Day.
“This is awesome to have my grandfather at 101 years old,” Dereume said.
“It was the luck of the draw,” Kerr said that he’s lived this long. “This is the way it is supposed to go.”
He said he doesn’t believe he is a hero.
“He is so humble,” his daughter Katie Uzzo of Moon said. “That generation – the Greatest Generation — did what they were supposed to do and what they were asked to do. This is wonderful to see so many people who are 100 or more.”
The eldest of the elders, Pollon, said 106 is a nice figure. He said he will reach 107 if the good Lord says it is so. He said being a veteran has made him stronger because of this service to his country.
“I enjoy being around people,” said Pollon, an Army veteran. “I want to be around longer so I can continue to enjoy my family. And you get more wisdom the longer you live.”
Look for another party in 2025 because Masonic Village has four residents in the 99-club — Betty Toney, Betty Hahn, Ruth Eissler and Shirley Tomb.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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