Fred Jacobi celebrates his 99th birthday surrounded by friends and family at the YMCA after Chair Exercise class on Friday, Feb. 7.
After class, instructors Gailyn Fennewald, Nancy Taylor and …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Fred Jacobi celebrates his 99th birthday surrounded by friends and family at the YMCA after Chair Exercise class on Friday, Feb. 7.
After class, instructors Gailyn Fennewald, Nancy Taylor and Dedra Heath, invited Fred, the oldest member of the Chair Exercise class, up to the front of the class to don his special birthday sash.
“We all want to be like Fred when we grow up,” says class instructor Dedra Heath.
Everyone made their way to the café, which had been decorated earlier, to sing happy birthday and enjoy some cake.
Chris Threlkeld, Amy Jacobi, Dennis Jacobi and Sarah Anselmi, four of Fred’s five children were there waiting to surprise him.
“I want to thank you all for coming and getting me out of the nursing home!” said an enthusiastic Fred.
As Jacobi settled in to enjoy a piece of cake and spend time with his kids, his daughter Amy shared his secret to a long life.
“He always says, ‘100 years from now, you’re not going to know the difference so don’t sweat the small stuff.’”
Fred was the head mechanic at Pearl Motor Company. Now in retirement he stays active, taking full advantage of the YMCA Chair Exercise classes. Fred is probably best known for the fun socks he wears every day.
