Paolo Nutini kept a promise to his great aunt to sing Happy Birthday at her 100th birthday party.
And yesterday beaming centenarian Mary Castelvecchi said: “I wasn’t surprised. I knew he would come along and make my day.
“He said he would and he didn’t let me down. He sang Happy Birthday in that special voice of his, gave me a kiss and a great big cuddle.
“I had a wonderful time with all the family. There were about 100 people there and it was just great.
“I’m a wee bit tired today after all the celebrations but it was worth it.”
Paisley soul sensation Paolo – whose second album Sunny Side Up knocked American hip-hop favourite Eminem off the top of the album charts in June – put his own spin on the song at the celebration on Sunday … the eve of Mary’s birthday.
Her niece Nadia Fletcher told the Paisley Daily Express: “She had a fabulous time on her birthday.
“Paolo joined the family at the party and sang happy birthday for Mary. She was delighted. It was a fantastic party.”
The Nutini family and former River City actress Carmen Pieraccini were among guests at the family bash in Gabriels pub.
James Wardrop, the well-known Deputy Lieutenant for Renfrewshire, was also there to hand over a telegram from the Queen ahead of Mary’s big day yesterday.
She was born on December 28, 1909 in Cowcaddens, Glasgow, to Fausta and Guiseppe Pieraccini before they moved to Paisley when she was just a few months old.
At that time Liberal Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith had the keys to Downing Street and Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House.
The British Empire was the world superpower and cars were still a luxury owned only by the wealthy.
Mary has lived through two world wars, 18 Presidents, 19 Prime Ministers and five different British monarchs.
Her father, who was born and raised in Barga, Italy, opened his first chip shop on Johnstone Street called Central Restaurant in 1909.
In 1932 Mary married and settled down with her husband Settimo, the brother of Paolo’s grandfather, who was ten years her senior.
Mary worked through the years at her father’s chip shop, where she remained until 1958 when she left to go to Italy because her husband became ill.
Settimo, which means seven in Italian and was given to him as he was the seventh Castelvecchi brother, passed away in 1962.
Mary stayed in Barga until 1997 when she decided to come back to Paisley to live with Nadia and her husband Robert.
Yesterday there were more celebrations in store for the good Buddie. Family and friends turned up with a huge big cake for Mary to share with her great great grand nephew Lewis, who was celebrating his first birthday.
Cameron Hay, Paisley Daily Express
No reflection on the marvelous life and longevity of Mary Mary Castelvecchi, but William Howard Taft — and not Theodore Roosevelt — was the American president in December, 1909.
Thanks Monacu – spot on as usual – Mar 5, 1909 – William Howard Taft is President of the United States, and Theodore Roosevelt is again a private citizen. By train to Philadelphia; thence by telegraph. WASHINGTON, March 4. — William Howard Taft is President of the United States, and Theodore Roosevelt is again a private citizen. … NYTIMES archives
Guess there’s is no trusting the Paisley Daily Express! 🙂
The Express is a noted bastion of anti-Taft sentiment.