Vernon resident celebrates 95 years

May 3, 1924, is a long time ago; 95 years to be exact.
Longtime Vernon resident Vincent Scordato celebrated his special day with his family and his caregiver family.
Caregiver Judy Bakonyi of Highland Lakes decorated Scordato’s home and yard with balloons, flags and a Honk for Vince sign, surprising the 95-year-old. Neighbors, commuters, truck drivers and school buses have been honking paying tribute the entire day to the delight of Scordato.
One of seven sons, Scordato is the only surviving sibling. When asked how it feels to be 95, Scordato replied with a chuckle,
“Old, reaching 95 is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Scordato is a proud World War II veteran.
“Do you know what my last name means in Italian,” Scordato said. “It means to forget,” he smiled.
He hasn’t forgotten his own military history. He remembers every basic training, every cargo ship and every country he was stationed in. In 1945, Scordato was in the audience in Germany and saw Bob Hope’s USO show.
A welder by trade, Scordato worked on repairing trucks and tanks during wartime. After his honorable discharge, he worked at the Frank Peters Company in Paterson, Magor Car Corporation as head of the welding department and then Curtis Wright, supervising nuclear reactors.
A truly bubbly, jovial gentleman, Scordato talks about googling information, he also enjoys sprucing up his yard and loves his on-property pond where catfish, sunfish, koi and turtles make their home.
A beautiful birthday cake and party hats awaited a happy Vincent Scordato as he celebrated his 95th birthday on May 3.