The Messenger attended a truly momentous birthday party this week.
Set in the woods of Nesconset is the family-owned and operated Olsen’s Rest Home, which was built alongside the neighborhood in 1958. The 40-bed facility invited local media to celebrate with the home’s most age-advanced resident in their history, and offered us the rare opportunity to speak with someone who has reached a milestone only very few have matched.
Josephine “Josie” Onorato Piccardi was born on July 6, 1917, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For reference, Woodrow Wilson was President, the United States was in the throes of World War I, and both the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings had not yet been constructed.
Josie was a born-and-raised New Yorker, living in the city her entire life. She met her husband, Alexander, in a circumstantial, almost movie-like way. Josie’s friend and coworker set her up with her brother. Josie sported a red scarf to be easily identifiable for Alexander in perhaps the most quintessential New York locale: Times Square.
She married Alexander when she was 28 years old and their marriage lasted for over 60 years until Alexander’s passing. The couple had two daughters, Susan and Rosemary. The family lived on Elizabeth Street in Little Italy and Josie worked as a seamstress in the Garment District, apart from being a housewife and a mother.
Alexander was an Army Veteran and served in the United Kingdom but did not see combat.
Until four years ago, Josie lived with her daughter Susan in Bellerose, Queens. She came to live at Olsen’s Rest Home on June 6, 2019, shortly before her 102nd birthday.
“Josephine has always been in remarkably good health,” says facilitator Susan Olsen. “Her list of medications is very short and routine, as she has little in the way of physical ailments that most elderly people eventually have.”
Olsen says the medical term to describe Josie is “unremarkable,” although, she emphasizes, this is “hardly the word those know Josephine would use.”
“When a person lives over a century, people around them are impressed. The wonderful women who care for Josie every day are impressed by her and love her,” Olsen said.
The party was attended by the home’s residents as well as members of Josie’s family. She has two daughters, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, some of whom were in attendance last Thursday.
Josie is a practicing Roman Catholic and attends a weekly service held within the home. She is an avid Frank Sinatra fan and continues to sing his songs.
According to Josie, the secret to a long life is a “clean life,” meaning no drinking and no smoking.
Needless to say, she’s managed so by doing it her way, every step of the way.
The Messenger wishes Josie another fantastic year, and many more!
