Birthday bash held for JSC 'Cribbage Crew'

Johnston Sun Rise ·

There was a rather unusual birthday celebration last Friday inside the Johnston Senior Center. However, there was only one cake, featuring just two candles, as officials, guests and volunteers honored two members of the JSC’s popular Cribbage Crew.

In the middle of it all was Orlando Ricci, the JSC’s now nationally famous centenarian who turned 102 years old last Saturday, and a younger man named Carmine Spinella who was celebrating his 86th birthday.

“Orlando is an amazing man,” said Harlan Hershey, a volunteer computer tech whose partner is Spinella during the fun-filled cribbage games the four men play five days a week before and even during lunch. “Carmine is also a special man; for us, this [cribbage games] is good mental exercise.”

The Cribbage Crew, which includes Angelo Gazzerro, 83, is a familiar scene for each and every person who enjoys lunch daily at the JSC.

“Its therapy and we love every minute of it,” Hersey said. “We’ve been doing this for the past year or so and have formed a special bond, a unique friendship for sure.”

In honor of what someone called “the birthdays of our Milestone Men”, JSC officials had an inflated colorful balloon attached to the backs of Ricci and Spinella’s chairs and Brenda Martin, the center’s dietary manager, also had a hand in making the day extra special.

She made a marble cake, complete with white cream frosting and blue lettering that simply had the numbers 102 and 86 in green letters as well as a red and green candle in opposite corners. The cake also had two hearts.

Once the Cribbage Crew finished their lunch, Martin made her way into the multi-purpose room with the candles lighted and people singing Happy Birthday in honor of Ricci and Spinella. The green candle next to Spinella’s went out before the 86-year-old had a chance to make a wish and blow it out, however, he still made a silent wish.

The focus then turned to Ricci, who Saturday would turn 102, as people awaited a man who Assistant JSC Director Millie Santilli calls “a staple here” to blow out his candle. Ricci put out his candle with his left thumb and index finger.

Almost instantly, people who gathered around the Cribbage Crew’s table burst into laughter, as Ricci simply sat comfortably in his chair and smiled.

“Everyone will tell you that Orlando is the kindest, most pleasurable person to be around,” Santilli said while helping Martin and other volunteer servers get plates for their piece of the birthday cake. “Everyone loves him. People are always asking questions about his life and he is happy to share it.”

Ricci recently returned from his trip to Washington, D.C., where he and other World War II veterans were part of the ongoing Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Honor Flight program.

“Orlando told us he hadn’t flown since his time in the war,” said Santilli. “I can only imagine what a shock it must have been to see the planes of today. What an honor it is for me to know him.”

Other people that took in last Friday’s birthday bash for the JSC’s Cribbage Crew feel the same way about Ricci and Spinella.

Take long-time JSC volunteer-handyman Chris Giardina, for example.

“I’ve got a special gift for Mr. Ricci,” Giardina said. “It’s a T-shirt and reads ‘I am 102!’”

Giardina, who has made many different types of specially printed items at his Johnston home and at his own expense, presented the t-shirt to Ricci, who immediately took off a sweater and put on his gift.

“Perfect fit,” Giardina said as he watched the noted celebrity Centenarian model his new t-shirt. “And next year I’m going to make you a different type that will read I am 103.”

As Hershey and Tony Zompa, the JSC’s Executive Director said later: “Today was special for sure; and, an example of the love and friendships that people form here at the Center.”