Every day is a busy day for 103-year-old Mike DeSiato.  But the Beverly Hills condominium resident is busiest on Wednesdays, when he rises at 6:30 am, opens the Association’s clubhouse and office by 7 am, makes coffee “for the ladies”, and then socializes and helps out. Fortunately, the Staten Island native, who moved to South Florida when he flew here on Friday the 13th decades ago, gets a break: the office closes at 4 pm.

But the retired electrician and all around fixer of things reports back on Wednesday night to get the clubhouse ready for bingo.  Mikey, as some know him, calls at least the first eight bingo cards; then another resident takes over for the last seven.  Unless, of course, the gentleman who replaces Mikey is on vacation, in which case the Ever Ready Bunny of Beverly Hills calls all 15 cards.  The Association bingo games start at 7 pm and end around 9:30 pm.

 Then it’s back home to watch some news and sports on tv.  Tired yet? someone asks him during an interview with Inside Hillcrest?  Mike’s reply, “I usually get to bed by about 11 o’clock.  I only need five hours or so of sleep.” Mikes’ got stamina in more ways than one.  He is still going, all day, every day, except Sunday, when he doesn’t report for duty at the clubhouse and adjoining office.  And he’s been doing this for years, – way before he turned 103. 

His most recent birthday — on Jan. 13 — called for a celebration.  To celebrate, state House Rep. Marie Woodson joined with Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy and residents to honor him.  The mayor also presented Mike with a plaque.  And the Association topped off the celebration by naming the clubhouse after him.  It now reads “Michael A. DeSiato
II Clubhouse”. 

Sitting in the office, wearing his New York Yankees cap, he relishes speaking about the number 13.  “I was born on Friday the 13th,” he says, reminding a visitor about his Friday the 13th flight to South Florida when he was 45.  Then, Mike adds, “I guess 13 is my lucky number.” But is there anything else that keeps him going, a visitor wonders? Mike says, “I keep busy, and I’ve got great genes from my family.  It’s as simple as that.  You’ve got to keep busy.” 

Indeed.  The interview continued passed 9 a.m., when Mike calls his son Michael Jr. every day.  But he was engrossed in conversation on recent day so, at around 9:20 a.m., a cell phone went off.  Michael Jr., a CPA, was calling to ask why Mike hadn’t called him yet. 

Michael Jr. is one of three sons that the elder DeSiato had with Josphine, his wife of 48 years.  She passed away in 1999, eventually motivating Mike to move from Dania to his current home. 

His sons have given him eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren; mostly girls. 

Andre Beauchamp, a former Association president, offers another possible reason for Mike’s longevity.  He says, “Mike is stubborn, but in a good way.  When Mike speaks, you’ve got to listen.  And he knows all the Florida condo laws.” 

This so-called stubborn streak even saved the Association a couple hundred bucks, notes Andre.  That’s because Beverly Hills Condominium leaders purchased a scooter for Mike to use as he makes his daily rounds.  The centurion doesn’t use it much, but it eventually needed a new battery and tune up, costing $200. “Mike wouldn’t let us pay for it,” says Andre.  “It’s his, so he wanted to pay for it.” 

Resident Ilia Ortiz tells another story.  She says, “Mikey makes great coffee.”  His secret ingredient: “lots of love,” Ilia adds.