In 1911, the Crisco cooking oil was invented, a postage stamp cost $.02, and Madam Curie was developing medicines. But that was also the year that Louis Straehl was born. 

Surrounded by friends and family members at the Seabury Fieldhome in Cortlandt Manor, the man celebrated his 100th birthday Tuesday afternoon. Straehl was born on July 26, 1911. The room was filled with music, balloons, birthday cards and a birthday cake to celebrate his milestone. 

"I don't know what the heck to say," Straehl started out when he was handed the microphone. "I appreciate all this and I thank you all for feeling the way you do about me."

The day's celebration commenced with Straehl's nephew Doug Ferony singing the old-time Italian favorite, "That's Amore," that the audience sang along to.

Josie Andaloro, The Director of Recreation and Volunteers at The Seabury, and also the coordinator of Straehl's birthday, read a biography of his life to the crowd.

Born in the Bronx, Straehl was a draftsmen, architect, building contractor, engieer, entrepreneur, and a mechanic with extensive background in electricity and boiler operations. He got married to Amelia Ferony in 1934 and that same year, the couple they had a son Richard. 

The man specifically worked for White Plains Lighting Co., helped design the piping system in the Fleishman manufacturing plant in Peekskill, and also built and operated one of the first automatic car washes in Long Island. He retired at the age of 70, when he was the building inspector for the city of White Plains.

But surrounded by happiness and love on his birthday, a random person would never know the tragedies Straehl suffered during his long life. 

His wife, known as Millie, died in 1964 of cancer and a little over a year later, their son Richard, captain in the Marine Corps., died while trying to save a fellow marine.

"With great strength, courage, and determination," Andaloro read, Straehl survived this tragedy and re-married in 1967 to his wife Edyth. The couple lived together for 40 years in White Plains until she passed away in 2007.

A broken hip in 2009 is what originally and reluctantly brought Straehl to the Seabury at Fieldhome, said administrator Diana Penna. Straehl was 98 years old when he moved in to the facility and didn't like it at first, Penna added. 

With a permanent smile on his face, and at times singing along to his favorite songs, that clearly has changed. 

"He's been good to me and my family all my life," said his nephew Mike Ferony, whose idea it was for a 100th birthday celebration. "I'm just trying to give back, I wanted to make sure it was a special day."

Ferony said the staff at Seabury had supplied the chairs, birthday cake and decorations. Also to help with Straehl's special day, was the Walter Panas High School football and cheerleading teams. In uniform, the high school athletes wished Straehl a happy birthday, served cake, and helped with clean up. 

"I feel very inspired," said Jessica Jaegar, 15, sophomore at Walter Panas High School. "It's great--we're doing something for the community." 

Yorktown councilman Vishnu Patel attended the celebration and presented Straehl a plaque of accomplishment. 

Seabury residents sang Sinatra songs, had birthday cake and some people even wore necklaces strung with 100 Cheerios to represent what they called "100 Cheers for Lou." 

"I feel wonderful today," said Straehl, who was determined for 100 kisses on his 100th birthday, "These people are very good to me; I've lived a good life."