A joyful moment turned to tragedy in seconds: Vito, a 97-year-old California resident, celebrated his birthday last week at a party, danced to a famous disco hit and died shortly afterward, surrounded by his friends.
Eden Malinoff, his 24-year-old neighbor who organized the party, posted a video showing Vito smiling, clapping and moving to the music. A short time after the guests sang "Happy Birthday" to him, he died unexpectedly.
Malinoff said Vito was full of life and found it hard to believe his own age. When she had asked him in the past what the secret to his longevity was, he replied: "Never drink cheap liquor."
"He was surrounded by people he loved, we celebrated his long and full life, and I'm grateful I was part of it," Malinoff wrote.
A close friend said Vito had been suffering from medical problems, and that he passed away peacefully, to the sounds of the music he loved.
