A creative way to mark a 102nd birthday
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STEUBENVILLE -- Anthony Violi has reached many milestones in his life.
Monday, the revered former band director and Army veteran reached another -- he turned 102 years old.
Close to 20 friends and family, organized by his daughter, Marcia Sobieski, gathered outside the Carriage Inn nursing facility Monday to mark the occasion.
Violi was visibly excited to see so many familiar faces.
"He said he was so surprised he could not believe this happened," Sobieski said. "He is just so happy that we were able to do this.
"I just love my dad."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on visitation in long term care facilities, they could not go inside and see Violi as they would under normal conditions.
Even from a social distance, though, he was happy too see his loved ones holding balloons and signs.
"Mr. Violi is just a great guy," Mickey Pyle, a family friend, said. "For his 100th birthday, we had a big party down at the Legion. He has done a lot. He has impacted so many. He's just a loving guy and so nice to everybody."
Sobieski said they did something similar on Easter, and "really brightened his day."
"He's just an awesome guy," said Bernadette Pyle-Hall, a friend who knows Violi from the American Legion. "It's good to put a smile on his face."
Sobieski said the Carriage Inn staff informed her Violi received 156 birthday cards.
"He loves it," Sobieski said. "He loves getting cards. I can't wait to be able to go in and see them and thank everyone."
Violi, originally from Adena, served as Steubenville High School's band director for 17 years and spent 18 years involved with Catholic Central after retiring from Big Red.
"He loves his music," Sobieski said. "He would still be out there doing it if he could. It's sad to see him here, but Carriage Inn is taking wonderful care of him."
He is also an Ohio State alum. When he was 100 years old, Violi was given the honor of dotting the "i" during the Buckeyes' football game against Tulane on Sept. 22, 2018.
The same year, he was VIP grand marshal during OSU's homecoming parade.
Violi served in World War II after graduating from Ohio State and served as the personal driver for Gen. Harry Twaddle and served in the European Theater.
After returning home, Violi spent much of his life in Steubenville.
"He's a legend in Steubenville," Sobieski said.