SAUGUS — Louis Fantasia’s life has taken him from Somerville to the Philippines and, eventually, to this town over the course of a century. On Sunday, Fantasia’s family gathered at the Saugus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center to celebrate his centenary and the last living member of a generation.
Fantasia is one of six children, the fourth to arrive and the second-youngest of five brothers. He served in World War II, dropping out of school to do so. Fantasia was one of four brothers to serve in the war and, in what can only be described as an astonishing coincidence, met one of his brothers on an island in the Pacific during the war. Eventually, Fantasia began working as a truck driver, a full-time job until he was 93, said his nephew, Anthony Serino of Wakefield.
Serino was among the dozens of family members who celebrated Fantasia’s birthday on Sunday, many of whom traveled for the occasion, including a contingent from Pennsylvania. He said most of those in attendance were nephews and nieces of Fantasia’s, with his son, Jimmy, unable to attend after recently undergoing shoulder surgery.
Fantasia was seated in the middle of the entryway of the Center, with his wife of more than 50 years, Marilyn, seated next to him. Louis and Marilyn married in 1959, and both had been married prior.
Louis Fantasia has spent much of his 100 years in town, in a house on Castle Rock Road, recalled his nephew, Tom Fantasia, of Canton.
Serino said he spent much of his childhood being raised by Louis Fantasia’s mother in a home where some of his siblings still lived. Serino’s mother, Louis Fantasia’s sister, was a single parent.
“That generation was important to me, and he is the last living member,” Serino said.
While speaking to The Item, Tom Fantasia, who was holding the party’s youngest attendee, 5-month-old Daisy, said four generations of Fantasias were in attendance Sunday afternoon.
“He’s my father’s kid brother, and he’s 100,” Tom Fantasia said of his uncle. “This is a real happy occasion.”
“Just being with people is the important thing,” he added.
At the party, Louis Fantasia was presented a citation by Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta, who said she was thrilled to be in attendance to celebrate Fantasia’s “momentous day.” Later, family members gave Louis Fantasia his birthday gifts — including several lottery tickets, a fitting gift for a man deemed a gambler by his wife.
For his part, Louis Fantasia was totally bowled over by the support from his family.
“I never thought it would be like this,” he said, adding it felt strange to be surrounded by so much family. “It’s the surprise of my life.”
Looking back, Louis Fantasia said, “I’d live to do it over again if I had to.”
Marilyn Fantasia, 92, who worked as a registered nurse, admitted she wasn’t a fan of all the attention but said Louis “deserves it.”
“He’s been a good guy,” she said. “He’s just an ordinary guy. He’s been good to everybody his whole life.”
To Marilyn Fantasia, the years accumulating never made much of an impact.
“We just lived each year,” she said.
