A 97-year-old pensioner went out in style after he died at his own birthday party shortly after dancing to classic ’70s disco song Stayin’ Alive.
The man, who online just went by Vito, was partying surrounded by friends when his night took a turn for the worse.
His neighbour and friend, Eden Malinoff, was one of the guests at the bash in California and shared what happened in a now-viral TikTok.
The 24-year-old, who had been commissioned to make a birthday cake for the almost-centenarian, posted clips of Vito wearing a black shirt, trousers, and Stanley Tucci-style specs, while dancing and clapping his hands to the music.
In the video, Eden explained that her friendship group is made up of people her age, plus Vito, who she said ‘lived his life to the full’.
She stated that the pensioner had requested a Halloween-themed party, which, in hindsight, Eden alluded, was quite fitting.
She said in the TikTok: ‘This past week was Vito’s 97th birthday and in true Vito fashion, he wanted to celebrate by throwing a Halloween birthday rager.
‘So of course I made him a cake. When I asked him the secret to living such a long life, he told me it was to never drink cheap liquor.’ So, she made him a red wine chocolate cake in his honour.
Eden continued, adding that Vito ‘lived his life to the fullest, all the way up until his last moments, quite literally.’
At 24 years old, she joked that she ‘could not keep up with this man’.
However, Eden said that, despite being the ‘life of the party,’ sadly, his life came to an end that night. She explained in the TikTok: ‘Unfortunately, the night did not end as anticipated, and Vito made a dramatic exit,’ shortly after his guests had serenaded him with Happy Birthday.
However, Eden claimed that ‘if there’s any way he could have chosen to go out, it would have been like this.’
The TikTokker concluded the video by saying Vito was ‘surrounded by people he loved,’ who were ‘celebrating his long and full life’.
The clip, which Eden captioned ‘Rip to an absolute legend,’ has been viewed on the social media platform 10 million times.
Plenty of strangers sent their condolences too, along with a comment from someone claiming to be ‘Vito’s best friend,’ who confirmed on Instagram that he did die at his own party.
They commented: ‘He got a good dance in right before. It was an amazing birthday party. He had some medical issues that we didn’t know the severity of, and he passed away peacefully with his favourite music going. Rest in peace you legend.’
Other Instagram comments called Vito’s death ‘an amazing way to go. RIP,’ as another called being ‘surrounded by love’ a ‘beautiful way to pass.’
Someone else said: ‘He died on his birthday!! 😭😭 at 97! In a room full of people that loved and adored him! Young, happy and celebrating! And in whimsy costumes cuz he’s a Halloween baby! I’m crying, epic way to gooo!’ while a fourth echoed: ‘Shows up to his own party and dies, icon.’
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