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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Herb Geller can no longer describe himself as only 89. As of December 9, North Salems noted octogenarian has become a nonagenarian.
I dont feel like Im 90, says Geller. You know youre old but you dont tell yourself youre old. I remember everything. What happened 60 or 70 years ago. In a way, youre an historian. You remember things that other people cant.
Geller was born in the Bronx, served in the Europe during World War II and eventually became a feature writer and editor. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for a series published in The Bridgeport Sunday Post. He also worked for The Patent Trader. In addition to his army medals he has been honored by the New York Press Association and the New England Press Association.
On November 10 he was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. He is Commander of the local American Legion Post and traditionally delivers the Memorial Day speech to honor the fallen.
The Gellers moved to North Salem nearly 56 years ago. Thank God I came to live here, he says. North Salem is a really wonderful town, especially compared to a lot of other towns.
Gellers family, town officials and his many friends gathered together on Sunday for a surprise birthday party. I couldnt believe it, he said. Cynthia Curtis told me there was going to be a party for Amy Rosmarin.
There were friends from Connecticut, people I used to work with. My daughter Sharon came with her kids from New Jersey. I didnt know anything was happening. I was amazed. And then the normally articulate and loquacious nonagenarian added, I didnt know what to say, even.
Click here for John White's photos of Herb Geller's surprise party.
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