Woodside Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

Mr. Burchard Taylor, a Woodside Queens resident, celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday. Mr. Taylor, pictured with City Council Member Eric Gioia, is a WWII Army veteran who also played trombone in jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald’s band. (Jianguo Wu/ The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—Burchard Taylor has just turned 100 at the Woodside Senior Center in Queens, New York. They say the sense of community in Woodside keeps him young.

Matthew Ancona, Senior Center Director said, “I personally think it adds between five and nine years on their life. If they don’t have centers like these in their communities, they would sit home, eat non-nutritional meals and vegetate.”

And with lunch for just $1 the center is a welcome respite. But who pays when the baby boomers all reach retirement?

“Oh, that’s a rough question because the population is going to double in the next 10-20 years. Of aging people,” Ancona said.

Some say it is our turn to look after the elderly.

Eric Gioia, NY City Council Member delivered Mr Taylor a proclomation from the City. “We need, as a city, to find ways to make sure their golden years are truly golden,” he said.

“We owe everything to citizens like Burchard Taylor,” said Council member Gioia. “It is truly an honor to be here with friends and family to celebrate his birthday. From serving in the military to playing in Ella Fitzgerald’s band, Burchard has been an inspiration for all of us.”

The residents of Woodside were happy to comment on their lives there.

Frank Mangano said, “I enjoy everything about this place.”

Majorie Cotton said, “It gives you some place to go, something to do and you meet all types of people.”

Julia Vieiera said, “I would be lost without it.”

Bridgette Castelli said, “It has changed my life since I lost my daughter 10 years ago.”

Whether they come for breakfast, lunch or companionship, this center is making a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.

Burchard Taylor was born in 1909 on the Eastern Shores of Maryland. He was raised and went to school in Denton, a small town where he later met and married his wife, Anna.
Mr. Taylor served in the Army during WWII. While in the army he played in the Army band, and after the war he returned to the U.S. to play trombone in Ella Fitzgerald’s band.

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