Senate Resolution No. 1447
BY: Senator PALUMBO
CONGRATULATING Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar of
Springs, New York, upon the occasion of celebrating
his 100th Birthday on October 7, 2023
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar upon the occasion of his 100th
Birthday, which was celebrated at the American Legion Post 419 in East
Hampton, New York, on Saturday, October 7, 2023; and
WHEREAS, On October 10, 1923, in Murtosa, a small seaside farming
and fishing town in northern Portugal, Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar was
born in his maternal family's home which they owned for hundreds of
years; the family first migrated from France in the 1100s, settling in
Murtosa in the early 1400s; and
WHEREAS, The DeVillars are descendants of Hugh Capet, King of the
Franks, the first king from the House of Capet; Robert I, Duke of
Burgundy; and King Denis I of Portugal; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, the Portuguese military drafted Manuel
Vilar, commissioning him to serve in Portuguese colonies throughout
Africa and Asia; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Manuel Vilar immigrated to the United
States, joining his father and uncles in the construction trades in New
York City; subsequently, he was hired by a construction firm that was
associated with the Rockefeller family's Standard Oil Company, traveling
throughout Canada and Venezuela; and
WHEREAS, Several years later, Manuel Vilar returned to New York's
metropolitan area, joining the United Cement Masons and Plasterers Union
Local 780; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Manuel Vilar met Amelia Eninger Branco, marrying
her on June 9, 1957; the couple were blessed with a son, Manuel Marques
Vilar, in 1960; and
WHEREAS, The Vilar family purchased property, constructing their
home, in Springs, New York, in 1965; this hamlet of East Hampton
reminded Manuel Vilar of his childhood home in Murtosa and was where he
felt comfortable; and
WHEREAS, As the foreman of the cement masons for 30 years, Manuel
Vilar supervised hundreds of masons on multiple projects throughout the
New York metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, These ventures included New York City World's Fair; Throgs
Neck Bridge, Whitestone Bridge, and Verrazano Bridge; the TWA, Pan Am,
and United Airlines terminals, as well as miles of runways, at John F.
Kennedy International Airport; runways at LaGuardia Airport; highways,
including Van Wyck and Long Island Expressways; and numerous buildings
throughout Long Island, New York, including the Hunting Quadrangles; and
WHEREAS, After retirement in 1986, at the age of 63, Manuel Vilar
continued to construct multiple homes with his wife, Amelia, in the
Hudson, Florida, area; after September 11, 2001, the couple returned to
reside full-time in the home they built in Springs; as fervent
gardeners, they tended to an extensive garden with 38 varieties of fruit
trees; and
WHEREAS, An ardent fisherman, Manuel Vilar owned and enjoyed a boat
for 40 years; his passion for fishing earned him the nickname of Fish
Commander; and
WHEREAS, Manuel Vilar was predeceased by his beloved wife in 2019
after 62 years of marriage; and
WHEREAS, With his zest for life, Manuel Vilar has inspired and
enriched the lives of his family and friends through the profound charm
and wisdom which come only from a fullness of years; this exceptional
centenarian has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows
characteristic of, and reserved for, those with the stamina and courage
to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, More than 150 attendees personally extended their birthday
wishes to Manuel Vilar; he was lovingly surrounded by grandchildren,
Matthew (Lauren), Brendan (Ciara), Catherine, Manuel, James, and Thomas;
great-grandchildren, Brea, Carter, and Beau; cousins; and close friends
from the Springs community; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have
witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments, and
awesome achievements of this country during the last century, while
themselves contributing to the growth and excellence of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar upon the occasion of
celebrating his 100th Birthday on October 7, 2023; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Manuel Joaquim DaSilva Vilar.