West Haven Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

WEST HAVEN, CT — (Pictured): Longtime Westie Barbara Keyes receives a citation in honor of her 100th birthday from Mayor Dorinda Borer during a celebration at her Milton Avenue home with her children, David Keyes and Rosemary Uppvall, on Wednesday.

Borer recognized the centenarian and “lover of music and nature” for “leading an extraordinary life that is great in accomplishments.”

Reading the citation, the mayor said: “As a longtime resident of our beautiful city, you have witnessed tremendous milestones in our history. Your life represents an important part of West Haven.”

The former Barbara Gaetano is a 1943 graduate of West Haven High School.

She proudly noted that her uncle John Prete, a Democrat, served as West Haven’s first selectman in 1953-55. The John Prete public housing complex at 1187 Campbell Ave. is named in his honor.