West Ryde’s Edward Miceli has celebrated his 100th birthday

One hundred year old Edward Miceli credits his longevity to a lifetime of home-cooking

(L-R) Lorraine June Russo and Lydia Anne Miceli of West Ryde with their father Edward Miceli celebrating his 100th birthday. Mr Miceli was caretaker at Eastwood Public School for many years before his retirement.

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There may be many secrets to living a long and happy life, but 100 year old Edward Miceli credits his to home-cooking.

“He has said that the secret to his longevity is home-cooked meals,” said Mr Miceli’s daughter Lydia.

“He likes to do his own cooking and very rarely eats at restaurants. He doesn’t smoke or drink either, which helps.”

The West Ryde local celebrated his centenary surrounded by family and friends at a special celebration at the Mediterranean House at Five Dock.

“It was great, there was plenty to eat and drink and everyone had a really nice time,” Lydia said.

Mr Miceli was born in Italy in 1916 as the ninth of 11 children.

In 1938, he left to serve in the military corps in Africa before eventually returning to Italy in 1946 after being held for three years as a prisoner of war.

When he was 33, Mr Miceli travelled to Australia on what was supposed to be a short trip to visit his three brothers who had emigrated here when he was a child.

However, he decided to remain following a whirlwind romance with his future wife, Stella.

The couple went on to have two daughters (Lydia Anne and Lorraine June) and owned a mixed fruit business in Surry Hills.

The family eventually moved to Eastwood in 1968 where Mr Miceli worked as a caretaker at Eastwood Public School until his retirement in 1979.

Mr and Mrs Miceli celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2010 – six weeks before Stella died from leukaemia.

“My dad is a loving father and great provider who worked hard all his life,” Lydia said.

Originally published as West Ryde’s Edward Miceli has celebrated his 100th birthday