Fresno nursing home celebrates centenarian birthdays

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- National Centenarian's Day is later this month and a Valley senior care facility has a few birthdays to celebrate. A party Friday afternoon brought together family and friends to pay tribute to three very special residents.

All eyes were on the three birthday boys marking important milestones in their lives. The three gentlemen each had loved ones share details that brought them to where they are today.

"He often said to me, 'I'm not from the horse and buggy days, I'm just after them giggles,'" Mervin Maryuama said.

"Dad was a health fanatic and the healthiest meal is your breakfast most important meal of the day," Lyn Nakashima said of her dad. "We were in college every day running down the driveway throwing burritos out the window have your breakfast."

Others offered a glimpse into the lives they had thousands of miles away, many years ago.

"After leaving camp, went to work then enlisted in Army and went to Japan after the bombing," Ken Ojakima said.

For all three celebrants, there's one thing in common: the importance of their relationships with family, friends and each other. It's something this senior care facility tries to preserve.

"It's a community," Sylvia said. "It's a family community and if they don't they make friends along the way."

After cake and opening their presents, one of the celebrants shared his very simple secret to long life: just be nice.

"I tell everyone don't fight it's no good," Nori Masuda said.

One woman, who turned 101 earlier this year, had to miss out on the party but had family members there in her honor.

"It's been a great ride and here we are 100 years old," they said. "Pretty amazing isn't it?"