A World War II veteran in Contra Costa County reached a milestone birthday Tuesday.
Sam Avolicino turned 103 years old.
The Air Force veteran celebrated his big day in Danville and received the key to the city from the mayor to honor his special day.
Avolicino said he has several things in his life that helped him live for so long.
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“Wine, good pasta and no stress … and a good wife,” he said. “We’ve been married for 70 years. We never had any stress because she told me when we got married, we would never go to bed without settling an argument. And we had arguments. I was up until 4 a.m. until I said ‘sorry.’”
After serving in World War II, Avolicino opened an opera house in Germany.
He said he’s met several celebrities, including actor Bob Hope.
