Former Melrose mayor Jim Milano still going strong at 100
Former Mayor Jim Milano greets a guest at his 100th birthday party.
Former Mayor Jim Milano celebrated his 100th birthday in style on Saturday, delivering the keynote address at his party at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, where he still plays the organ.
Dressed elegantly in a black suit with a white boutonniere, Milano told nearly 200 guests that he often asks himself a question on his walks through the city.
"Am I worthy of all this friendship?" he said.
Mayor Robert Dolan assured Milano that he was, recalling his attendance at a rainy high school band competition at the old Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough in the 1980s, one of the countless events that he supported for the good of the community.
"You have been a parent of a generation of Melrosians," Dolan said.
And at 100, Milano hasn't lost sense of humor. He needled the Rev. John Ronnaghan during his speech, reminding the former parish priest what he told a St. Mary's renovation committee - which Milano chaired - about 10 years ago.
"You said, without a vote of the committee, 'We are going to have air conditioning in this church,'" Milano quipped.
Ronnaghan later called Milano a "wonderful man," a sentiment shared by many guests who spoke with a Globe reporter.
"He's outgoing, he's loving, and he sees you and gives you a big hug and a kiss," said Anita Simpson, who's known Milano for decades and served with him on several civic groups.
Milano's record of public service towers over anyone else's in town. The city's oldest surviving veteran, he joined the Army in 1940 and served in World War II, witnessing the signing of the peace treaty between US General Douglas MacArthur and Japan’s Emperor Hirohito.
He served on the Melrose Board of Aldermen from from 1965 to 1972, and as mayor from 1972 until his retirement in 1991. He remains active in many civic and community groups, including the Melrose Rotary Club.
On Saturday, he spoke with gratitude about his years of service and enduring friendships with city residents.
"I am the richest man in this entire city," he said.
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...