A 97-year-old California man named Vito died suddenly at his own Halloween-themed birthday party shortly after dancing to the Bee Gees’ 1977 disco hit, “Stayin’ Alive.” The celebration, which took place last week, turned from a lively gathering into a moment of mourning shortly after guests finished singing “Happy Birthday” to the senior.
Los Angeles-based baker Eden Malinoff, a neighbor and friend of Vito, shared footage of the event on social media. The viral video shows Vito, dressed in a black button-down shirt and dress pants, clapping, swaying, and smiling while the disco classic played in the background. Malinoff, who runs the business Baked SoCal, noted that Vito was consistently full of energy and had joked that the secret to a long life was to “never drink cheap liquor.” In his honor, she baked him a red wine chocolate cake for the occasion.
A Final Celebration
Friends described the evening as a fitting farewell for a man known for his youthful spirit. Malinoff, 24, remarked that she often struggled to keep up with Vito, who was a beloved member of her friend group. “If I learned one thing from Vito, it’s to never let your age stop you,” she said. Malinoff characterized the event as a “Halloween-birthday rager,” emphasizing that he was surrounded by people he loved during his final moments.
Remembering Vito
While the circumstances of his death drew significant online attention, those close to Vito focused on the nature of his passing. Caleb Turner, identified as Vito’s best friend, confirmed that the 97-year-old had been dealing with underlying medical issues that his inner circle had not realized were so severe. Turner stated that Vito died peacefully while his favorite music was playing. Reflecting on the night, Malinoff described the event as a “dramatic exit,” adding, “If there’s any way he could have chosen to go out it would have been like this.”
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California man, 97, dies at his own birthday party moments after dancing to Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' https://t.co/5dlTsbjm04 pic.twitter.com/uTDj7sHeil
