A birthday this Freeport centenarian never thought she'd see
Freeport resident Clara Lomangino has lived through two world wars, raised a family, and welcomed two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren into her long life.
On Monday, she wiped away tears as family, neighbors and village officials arrived at her home to celebrate something Lomangino found hard to believe she lived to see — her 107th birthday.
“I don’t want to be old, and I’m an old lady already,” said Lomangino, adding later “Why 107? Never, never did I think that in my life.”
Lomangino said her secret to longevity is “garlic and oil” along with “spaghetti.”
As she watched alongside Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy, village police and firefighters blared their sirens outside her Martha Street home.
“We want to recognize you for this birthday, Clara Lomangino, as you’re blessed with 107 years of laughter, and tears, love and joy, hope and happiness,” Kennedy told her.
Lomangino’s son, Fred Lomangino Jr., said that although the family moved into the residence in 1954 after leaving Brooklyn, “home is where mom is.”
Fred Lomangino Jr. said he often visits his mother, who has an aide, and she always greets him with the same question.
“ ’Did you eat’ was the first words out of mom’s mouth when I walked in after ‘hello,’” he said. “If I said ‘yes or no,' it didn’t matter, she'd take a bowl of soup she had cooking on the stove and put a bowl of soup on the table.”
Clara Lomangino worked for AT&T, and later for the Long Island Trust Bank for more than 20 years. She was married to Fred Lomangino for 50 years before his death nearly three decades ago.
Her daughter, Carol Sparaco, worked as a real estate agent in the village and was friends with Kennedy, which is how the mayor came to know the centenarian. Sparaco died last year at 77.
Neighbors stopped in to say hello to Lomangino Monday.
Doug VanBrunt, who moved across the street from her 13 years ago, came by with flowers.
“She remembers my daughter’s birthday,” VanBrunt, 59, said. “She’s a great neighbor.”
After family and friends sang happy birthday to Lomangino, she was asked about her birthday wish.
“That I was a younger woman," she answered.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
