At 100, Sophie's secret is 'be kind'

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Sophie Antolik turns 100

Gallery

If you ask Sophie Antolik for the secret to her longevity, don’t expect much more than a simple, but powerful, four-word reply: Be kind to everybody.

“She’s very gregarious and fun, and a great aunt,” said Christine Trigg of Seattle, formerly of Boardman, who was one of an estimated 50 family members, relatives and friends from near and far who came to Sophie’s 100th Christmas Eve birthday celebration Saturday afternoon in the Bradford Green clubhouse in Canfield’s new Westford golf community off Boardman-Canfield Road.

Also enjoying the four hours of festivities was another of Sophie’s nieces, Susanne Trigg of Canfield, who noted that her aunt married for the first time at age 66. Sophie knew her husband when they were teens, but many years passed before they were reacquainted, Susanne recalled.

After attending Youngstown’s East High School, Sophie spent most of her adult life in diverse jobs, having worked at Weatherbee Coat Factory in downtown Youngstown, at the Ravenna Arsenal during World War II and at the former Stambaugh Thompson hardware, before retiring from Dollar Bank, Susanne said.

“She talks to everybody and is a happy, personable person,” she said of Sophie, a Youngstown native who now lives at Park Vista Retirement Community on the city’s North Side.

Dina Jenkins, another family member, expressed similar sentiments about her, saying Sophie is always compassionate and loving. In addition, she has a few other talents, Dina said without hesitation.

“She’s so thoughtful and giving; she’s always there for us,” Dina added. “Grandma has the kindest heart – and makes the best haluski and kolachi on the planet.”

For her part, Sophie wasn’t shy about offering her thanks and gratitude to those who made her Christmas Eve birthday No. 100 more special for her.

“I don’t think I’ll have another one!” she said to laughter and cheers. “I’m going to be nice to everybody, and everybody should be nice to each other.”

Other relatives who helped put together the fun-filled party were Kevin and Melissa Trigg-Collins of Raleigh, N.C.; Francisco and Jennifer Trigg of Canfield; Dennis and Vicki Morosky of Hubbard; and Charles and Hurrise Morosky, also of Hubbard.