EAST VINCENT — It might be tough to find someone who has been a Phillies fan longer than Paul Trumbetas, a 100-year-old World War II veteran.
And this week, Trumbetas and his wife Barbara, who have been married for 60 years, celebrated his 100th birthday at the Southeastern Veterans Center. Southeastern Veterans Center by receiving a visit from the Phillie Phanatic; retired Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini from the 1993 National League championship team; Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Phillies Ballgirls and Bob McCormick, representing Toyota and the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association.
Morandini also presented Trumbetas with a game ball that he will personally bring to the mound at Citizens Bank Park on May 18 when the Phillies play the Washington Nationals and conduct the team’s annual Salute to Service.
Trumbetas’ daughter, Denise Selzer, said, “He is the biggest Phillies fan in the world. We just had better cable put in for him so he can watch every game with a better picture. He is over the moon about this.”
Trumbetas was born in the coal regions in Simpson, Lackawanna County, and grew up in Carbondale. He was the oldest child and after his father’s death, he worked as a coal miner to support his family. He was drafted in 1943, and served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 as an Ariel Engineer with the rank of Private First Class.
-
Travis Davis, executive director at Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, wearing a Chase Utley Phillies Jersey, thanked World War II veteran Paul Tumbetas for his service to the cause of freedom at a celebration held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at the Southeastern Veteran’s Center in East Vincent Township, Chester County. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)
-
Paul Trubetas and his wife Barbara received numerous well-wishers during his 100th birthday celebration on Tuesday. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)
-
One of Paul Tumbetas’ special gifts on Tuesday was a Phillies jersey with his name on it, featuring the number 100, suitable for his centennial birthday. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)
-
100-year-old World War II veteran Paul Trumbetas received the first slice of his special birthday cake on Tuesday. (Evan Brandt –MediaNews Group