Devoted Hospital Volunteer Celebrates 95th Birthday

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Josephine Forestano may be turning 95 years old — but her passion for giving back and staying busy has kept her eternally young.

Forestano, a volunteer at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, is celebrating her 95th birthday on Feb. 1.

On Friday, Jan. 19, a birthday celebration was held for Forestano at the Southampton Hospital Foundation Thrift Shop. She was joined by manager Robin Page, also the hospital’s director of volunteer services, and Southampton Hospital Foundation President Steven Bernstein, the hospital’s chief development officer.

Holding a bright bouquet of flowers, her eyes twinkling, Forestano was asked to explain her secret for a long and happy life. “It’s love," she said. "All you need is love.”

It was the perfect location for her party: Forestano, affectionately known as "Josie", has been volunteering at the Southampton Hospital Foundation Thrift Shop since 2008.

Regular as clockwork, she comes in very Friday to greet customers, sort donations, and lend a caring hand wherever she can.

Forestano also pours her heart into knitting and crocheting baby hats for the hospital’s Kathleen D. Allen Maternity Center, the hospital said.

Forestano shares her heart of gold not only at the hospital but throughout the community, volunteering at the Basilica of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Southampton, and at the food pantry at Human Resources of the Hamptons.

Forestano grew up in New York City, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, hospital representatives said. As a young woman during World War II, she worked in a government ammunition factory for the military where she earned the nickname “Josie the Riveter.”

After marrying her husband Joseph, the couple moved out to Long Island and had three children: Michael, Nanette, and Richard. Their family eventually moved to Southampton after Joseph Forestano retired.

Forestano's legacy of giving back was born when her husband lived at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. During her visits every day, she began to help the other residents, too.

After she lost her husband in 2006, she decided to begin volunteering.

She's also happily engaged in activities at the Bridgehampton Senior Center — spreading sunshine with her smile and caring spirit.

Patch photos courtesy Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.