2 Local Seniors Celebrate Banner Birthdays

BROOKHAVEN TOWN, NY — Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman helped two local seniors celebrate banner birthdays recently.

Mastic resident Sal Adipierto celebrated his 100th birthday on February 8 surrounded by his friends and family, Sunderman said.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Sal and congratulate him on his 100th birthday,” said Sunderman, who presented Adipierto with a proclamation. “It was great to celebrate this momentous occasion and share a few laughs with him on his birthday.”

Adipierto, he said, was born on February 10, 1920 and grew up in Brooklyn. A first-generation Italian-American whose parents emigrated from Caserta, Italy, he started working at the age of 10 to help support his family after both of his parents passed away. He met and married the love of his life, Peggy, at the age of 21; they have three children.

"He fell in love with the Mastic/Shirley community after vacationing in the area, and in 1956 he decided to move to Mastic, where he became a realtor," a release from Sunderman's office said.

In 1959, the centenarian opened Adipierto Real Estate to sell homes in the community he loves, Sunderman said. He is a charter member of the Kiwanis and a member of the Shirley Property Owners, and he is still very involved in the Chamber of Commerce. Adipierto, Sunderman said, has seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and he still lives in the same house he purchased in 1956.

In 1920 when Sal was born, Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, the Treaty of Versailles took effect officially ending World War I, and Prohibition was established after the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment.

“Sal has had an amazing life throughout this past 100 years,” said Sunderman. “I wish him health and happiness for many years to come.”

Another senior, Mastic Beach resident Marie Riebe celebrated her 90th birthday on January 28, 2020 with loved ones and members of the Homemakers Unit #33.

“It was fantastic to have an opportunity to meet Marie and celebrate with her on this momentous
occasion,” said Sunderman, who also presented her with a certificate. “It was amazing to see her enthusiasm and energy in celebration of her 90th birthday.”

Riebe was born on December 14, 1929 and was raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn; she moved to Mastic
Beach in 1976 where she has lived ever since. She has four children, six grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren. She has been an active member of Homemakers Unit #33 for more than 30 years, Sunderman said.

In 1929 when Marie was born, Herbert Hoover was President of the United States, the Popeye
comic strip made its debut, the first ever Academy Awards ceremony took place, and the stock
market xrash took place in October.

“Marie has been on an amazing journey throughout her 90 years,” said Sunderman.