6 Centenarians Turning 100 In Greenport Celebrate With Party, Memories

GREENPORT, NY — The world has changed dramatically since 1917, when the average salary was $697 per year, for a man, according to census data, and, according to that same data, a home cost about $3,200.

Indeed, the world has changed completely since 1917, but six men and women gathered at Peconic Landing in Greenport Thursday shared a common thread — each of them will be turning 100 years old in 2017.

Each of the six has lived through war and hardship, tremendous strides and moments of joy and wonder, creating families and making memories of lives well-lived.

Peconic Landing hosted a "Centenarian Celebration" Thursday in the auditorium, as family and friends gathered to wish the six a wonderful birthday year.

According to Robert J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing, the six have lived "rich and full" lives; a slide show, played to the song "Young at Heart," showed photos and memories of their storied lives.

"Each of these photographs represents a happy time in their lives," said Syron, as the music played.

He shared highlights of their lives for the crowd gathered for the celebration.

Later, the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" and gathered for a champagne toast.

Charles Slama was born June 25, 1917 and "is a huge sports fan who can easily be spotted by his signature baseball cap. When he has the remote – which is more often than not – you can be sure there is a baseball, basketball or soccer game on the screen," Syron said.

Slama married his wife Louise and had a son and a daughter. "He is a skilled craftsman, always building things with his hands. He owned a machine shop in Long Island City and loved to work with wood and metal, building replicas of boats as a side hobby. He also had a stint in the restaurant business, owning a diner for a short time. And while he isn’t cruising around on his beloved motorcycle anymore, you can find him leading the pack at The Shores for Skilled Nursing, or enjoying a bowl of ice cream in the dining room – strawberry is his fan favorite."

Edwin Masback, born on September 14, 1917, is a longtime Peconic Landing member who hails from White Plains. A graduate of Yale University, he enjoyed a long career owning a hardware wholesale distribution company while also serving on the American Field Service board. He has long enjoyed a love of the outdoors, shooting skeet and trap, Syron said. His wife Phyllis is also a Peconic Landing member; the couple has three sons and daughters.

"You can find him in The Shores, often singing, 'Ol Man River' with the care team – and he does it very well," Syron said.

Genevieve Leskody, born October 13, 1917, recently joined the community residing in Harbor South for memory support, Syron said. Born and raised in Hettinger, North Dakota, she traveled all over America, camping and seeing the country. She was married to husband Steven and has six children.

"She worked as a teacher and waitress for a short time when she had the opportunity to wait on famed baseball legend Babe Ruth. Leskody loves to bake and is great at it – famous for her banana nut bread. She is our 'Rosie the Riveter,' who worked in a factory during WWII building cameras for airplanes," he said.

Sally Haupt was born on November 18, 1917 in Queens; she was married to her husband Robert and had three sons and embraced being a homemaker and minister's wife, very involved with her church.

"She always wants to look her best and can be seen working out with our fitness team two times a week in her earrings and pearls. You can find her in The Shores where she loves to sing and share stories about her beloved children," Syron said.

When asked how she felt to be turning 100, Haupt said, "Great! If the second 100 years are as good as the first, I'll be very happy."

Troy Baydala was born on December 8, 1917 and "has a personal mantra of caring for the mind, body, and soul. Every day had strives to do something catering to each. He is an Army Veteran who received two draft notices and thought it was a joke since it was April Fool’s Day. He served for four years and became a qualified as a sharpshooter with a score of 160. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Ann, for 56 years and they had six children. He was an avid golfer who got two holes-in-one in his lifetime. You can find him in The Shores where he enjoys to exercise, sing, and visit with his family," Syron said.

His daughter in law Jeannette Baydala said faith has long been a tenet in Troy's life. "That's his gift," she said. "He's the rock of our family, truly amazing."

And, all agreed, "family is everything" to him.

He also loved baseball, basketball, football and track.

When asked how he felt to turn 100, Baydala said, "This crowd shows how much it means." But, when asked if he ever live to be 100, he laughed. "No," he said. "I thank God for that."

When he was a boy, his family said, his father told Baydala to attend church regularly, he went to mass every day and still watches it today. He was an altar boy from the age of 9 to 18.

Hit by a car at the age of 7, he was not expected to walk again, but overcame the odds. And, when serving in the Army, he'd pray on his knees every night before bed, Mary Jo Cowan said. When asked who they'd most like to be in a foxhole with, his fellow troops said it would be Baydala, because he had a "direct line to the guy upstairs," she added.

His children said moderation, and a focus on mind, body and soul have long been the spotlight in his life, so much so that he had a family crest made to reflect that, with each of their birthdays.

Helen White, born on December 30, 1917, joined Peconic Landing after living in Southapton with her late husband Thomas; the couple had one daughter and two sons. She was an elementary school teacher who taught second grade. She always loved figure skating, and also taught tennis.

"Ms. White once had a pet monkey for the kids, but it was not allowed in the house. She helped establish the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Southampton in the 1950s, encouraging her friend to donate the 187 acres on Noyak and Little Peconic Bay. You can find her in The Shores, or scooting around the community sporting her lipstick and pearls," Syron said.

Also present were Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell and John Stype, on behalf of Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski.

"It's always a pleasure and an honor to me to present proclamations, but being able to present them to six individuals that are each turning 100 is astonishing to me. I've never had this honor in the past and I can't think of a supervisor in New York State to have been able to this — it's a special honor to me," Russell said, presenting the proclamations on behalf of the entire town board.

Stype, whose father-in-law, Baydala, was one of the birthday honorees, noted that Peconic Landing, a lifecare retirement community that serves active individuals age 62 and better and offers long-term care services, is a wonderful organization.

Reflecting on the lives of the six who will turn 100, Stype said all shared similar experiences, including being involved with their families, staying active, working and enjoying their free time.

"It all adds up to a well balanced life," he said. "My father-in-law has always said, 'Everything in moderation,' even with his favorite lemon meringue pie. And also, smile."

As Leskody said, Stype reminded, "Just live. That's how you do it. Just live."

And, toasting the six centarians, Syron said, "Here's to 600 years."