Hundred Halloweens
Burrillville’s Michael Surro celebrates his 103rd birthday
BURRILLVILLE – Maybe being born on Halloween explains Michael Surro’s devilish and impish personality.
“Don’t get on his bad side because nothing holds him back,” smiles Michael Pace, maintenance supervisor at the Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Care Center in Pascoag where staff and residents gathered Thursday to not only celebrate Halloween, but Surro’s birthday on that day 103 years ago.
“Is it true I’m 103? I can’t believe it!” said Surro, who was presented with a caramel custard birthday cake by activities director Kathleen M. Desrosiers and treated to a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday by residents and staff.
“It feels great!” Surro said when asked what it’s like to surpass a century.
A resident at Crystal Lake since 2015, Surro was born on Oct. 31, 1916. Woodrow Wilson had just been elected president and the First World War was in full-swing.
It was also the year Wrigley Field opened in Chicago and Charlie Chaplin released his 14th film.
Surro’s memory isn’t what it used to be, but he does have fond recollections of his years living in Burrillville his childhood growing up in ramingham, Mass. working as a ramingham policeman his faithful canine compan
ion, .eva his Army days during orld ar II and most importantly, his beloved late wife of 35 years, Mary.
At his home at Crystal ake, it’s not uncommon to find Surro racing down the halls with his walker, shouting out hellos to the staff.
Michael’s very independent. He loves dogs, playing Bingo and sitting outside watching the birds
at the feeders,” says Desrosiers. And he’s always asking how’s the weather.”
He also enjoys visits with his nieces and nephews who stop by regularly.
Pace says he enjoys his conversations with Surro.
He’s very sharp and doesn’t miss a beat,” he said. Sometimes I’ll come into his room when he’s
asleep to pick something up off the floor or adjust a window shade and he’ll open his eyes and shout out a good morning.”
This isn’t the first time the folks at Crystal ake have celebrated a resident’s big milestone birthday.
In 2016, the late Jennie (Przystas) Plante celebrated her 103rd birthday, and ne t month, a currently resident at the facility will
turn 101.
iving through an entire century is quite an accomplishment and we are always honored to try and do something special for our residents to recognize that milestone,” says Desrosiers.