“Love begins in a moment, grows over time, and lasts an eternity.”
This quotation was the theme at City Hall last weekend, as 46 couples were honored for celebrating 50 years or more of marriage. Leading the group, all of whom we congratulate for living through many years, decades and generations of marriage bliss, were Seymour and Jean Mason, who have celebrated 71 years of marriage – and counting. They were wed Feb. 29, 1948, when Harry Truman was president.
Three other couples that deserve mention are Walter and Maria Uzdejczyk, married in 1952, celebrating 67 years of marriage; Joseph and Margaret married in 1953, celebrating 66 years; and Frank and Annette Fortuna, married in 1953, also celebrating 66 years.
City Councilman John Rubbo welcomed all of the happily married couples. Fortuna led all in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the invocation was given by the Rev. Victoria Sirota, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Sirota and her husband, Robert, will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this Dec. 21.
Mayor Mike Spano and City Council President Mike Khader welcomed all and congratulated the couples. Yonkers’ First Lady Mary Calvi’s parents were in attendance; Gennaro and Rosa Calvi married in 1957, and are celebrating 62 years together.
The benediction was given by the Rev. Dr. Varghese Abraham, pastor at St. Andrew Mar Thoma Church.
This program was initiated by Spano a few years ago and it is a good one. It highlights another positive part of the city and its people, and for all the rest of us married – but not for 50 years – it reminds us of another key part of being married… patience.
