STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s not only only a distinct privilege and an honor to reach your 90th birthday, but to be able to mark the significant milestone surrounded by family members, friends and all those you love most at a distinguished black tie affair is truly a crowning accomplishment.
So, to celebrate becoming a brand new nonagenarian, in grand style — amid cheers, dazzling decorations and melodic music — West Brighton resident Rudolph Thomas Stradford was feted at a surprise birthday bash hosted by his five children in the Pavilion on the Terrace.
Rudolph and Yvonne Stradford, second and third from right, smile along with from the left, Xiao Ling Dai, Mr. Stradford’s youngest grandchild, Rhema Stradford Dai, Shawn Stradford, Wendell Stradford, Terrance, a lieutenant from the U.S. Coast Guard, and Brandon Stradford, far right. (Courtesy/Stradford family)Staten Island Advance
To his amazement — and on the pretense that he was to attend a political event — more than 200 well wishers greeted Stradford at the New Brighton venue, where they raised their glasses to toast the man of the hour, reveled in the evening’s fine fare and danced the night away.
The Stradfords, in formal attire, entire the ballroom at the Pavilion on the Terrace where they were greeted by their children and some 200 revelers. (Courtesy/Stradford family)Staten Island Advance
A LITTLE ABOUT MR. STRADFORD
Born and raised in Pittsburgh’s “Hill District,” an area Stradford’s daughter, Rhema described as as a “storied enclave of working poor Black families” — Stradford made his entrance into the world on Sept. 26, 1933.
Rudolph T. Stradford, center sitting, his wife, Yvonne, right, the couple’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family members and friends at Rudolph’s 90th birthday party at The Pavilion on the Terrace. (Courtesy/Stradford family)Staten Island Advance
He is a product of the successes of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), she added, which…
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