Joy Ride through West U: Pat Ceglia Celebrates 100

While planning for her father Pat Ceglia’s 100th birthday celebration in September, Patti Butler’s to-do list included renting a frozen margarita machine. She posted a request for margarita rentals on a neighborhood social media page and neighbors commented with recommendations. Mission accomplished. Perhaps even more refreshing was the online response from a name she didn’t recognize offering a one-of-a-kind birthday present.

The message said: “I don’t know anything about margarita machines, but I would be honored to give your dad a ride in our family’s 1920 Model T Ford.” And that’s how the World War II veteran received a chauffeured joy ride around West U, which ended up being one of the highlights of the party. 

The friendly automobile owner and new family friend was Will Rice. “Patti had posted about the upcoming birthday and I private messaged her that it might be neat to have a contemporary of Pat’s at his party.”

Will’s grandfather bought the car new and kept it, so it is a single-family car on its fourth generation.

1923-born Pat Ceglia, on a special ride around West University in a 1920-born Model T Ford with chauffeur and owner, Will Rice.

“In this age of high tech self-driving vehicles, it’s hard for many to understand a 103-year-old car that is very much the opposite of that, no blinkers or taillights, three pedals and none of them is the gas! So I think it’s neat to seek out people with some memories and experiences with a simpler time or a simpler vehicle.” (Will, his family, and their Model T were featured in The Jaunty Jalopy: A family’s cranky, loveable Model T by Cathy Gordon in 2020.) 

The 100-year-old birthday boy thought it was funny that the car was even older than him.

Will enjoyed his chat with Pat as they drove around the block. “When I asked him about his key to longevity he told me, ‘Don’t die!’ We should all be so lucky to live as long and to have his sense of humor.”

Pat happily sporting his birthday sash and 100 party sunglasses with daughters Janice Kaefer and Patti Butler. 

More than 50 family members and friends joined in the centenarian’s festivities. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and other relatives traveled from around the country, including from Austin, San Diego, and Seattle.
 
Pat’s great-grandchildren were thrilled to also go for a ride with Will in the cool car. 

Other special guests were Pat’s friends from the Weekley Family YMCA, Elena Dinkin (YMCA Associate Director of Forever Well Senior Adults) and his female senior workout pals: Charlotte Robinson, Jenni Elliot, Rosalie Thurbon, and Marie Cole. Their other YMCA friend, Maggie Mays, was not able to attend so her daughter came in her honor. Also unable to attend were friends Barbara Mott and Madeline Schlemmer. 

Pat was so happy his longtime Costco pharmacist and friend, Deana Whitlow and her husband Henry Coleman, joined in the festivities. 

Pat was excited his longtime Costco pharmacist, Deana Whitlow, and her husband Henry Coleman joined the party.

Last year, family friends Tracy and Jeff Everist ordered a nine-foot-tall “99” birthday balloon sculpture for Pat. The tradition continued this year with an even bigger and better three-digit “100” balloon sculpture, which welcomed party goers and encouraged lots of smiles from passing cars and neighbors.

A delicious decoration was the 100-themed charcuterie table, complete with chocolate candies display to make a 100, loving created by longtime family friend, Shelly Straub from Shellcuterie who, as a teenager, babysat Patti’s kids.

Fun extras included photo-op-worthy pairs of party sunglasses in the shape of 100, and a specially-ordered Smuckers Jelly Jar with Pat’s smiling face on the label honoring his 100-years-young milestone. 

The birthday boy shared, “I loved the party and especially our family and friends coming.” 

Patti smiled, “I am happy Dad turned 100 and so proud of him. It is wonderful that he lives next door and does so well at his age.” 

Pat and other WWII veterans getting ready to depart from Houston to New Orleans on a special visit to the National World War II Museum. Pat’s son, Jerry Ceglia, joined his dad for the trip and daughter, Patti Butler, came for the early morning sendoff. 

Pat Ceglia is a hero for reaching the milestone of 100-years-old. He is even more of a hero for being a distinguished American World War II veteran. His military career began in 1941, when Pat was 18 years old and living in Ravenna, Ohio. He wanted to enlist into the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. His mom signed the papers, but his father would not, so his friend signed them while they were at the bowling alley. 

Pat was stationed in England and served as a mid-gunner in B-24 aircraft. He went on 35 combat missions before he finished his service at 21 years old. 

The last weekend of September, just a few weeks after his big birthday bash, Pat was invited as an honored guest on a special trip to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. It was Pat’s first visit to the museum. His son, Jerry Ceglia, came in from California to join him. When the bus left Houston to head to New Orleans, the Ceglias and other revered WWII veteran passengers had a police escort and were followed by dozens of Veterans of Foreign Affairs motorcyclists.

Grandson Ryan Butler enjoying a chuckle with his 100-year-old grandfather, Pat Ceglia.

In addition to serving his country, Pat’s storied 10-decade lifetime happily includes the blessing of 59 years of marriage to his wife Margaret, who passed away in 2010, seven children, thirteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. His 95-year-old sister, Lucy, lives in Ohio. 

Pat recently told his grandson Ryan Butler: “Don’t let anyone tell you living to 100 isn’t worth it, because it is.”