City of Brunswick celebrates World War II veteran's 102nd birthday

BRUNSWICK — World War II veteran Joseph Taylor Jr. blew out the candles on his 102nd birthday cake as part of his birthday celebration on Monday. Brunswick first responders, local public officials and veterans attended Taylor's party, which also featured a parade of fire trucks and other vehicles. Taylor was born in Pennsylvania in 1923 and became a Brunswick resident a few years ago. He joined the Army in 1942 and served in the Pacific during World War II. Shelia Antczak has helped organize Taylor's birthday parties for the past few years. She said she met him because he and her mom were in love. After her mom died in 2020, she promised she would continue to take care of him. "She was the first one to love him, but it didn't take me long to follow suit because he's a great man," she said. Antczak said Taylor is doing great and is still independent at 102 years old. "He's able to get around and do what he needs to do," she said. "The community and myself, we help him out with grocery shopping and laundry, that type of thing, but he's self sufficient and very independent." The support from the community for Taylor has been amazing, Antczak said. She specifically recognized police officer Brian Mummert, Fire Chief Greg Glauner and Mission BBQ's Brunswick location for being there for Taylor. "My heart is full with the love that people have shown for him," she said. Taylor said his tip for living a long life is to "live clean." He said it is unreal that the community comes together to celebrate his birthday each year. "There are people here who don't even know me," Taylor said. "It is really nice that Shelia and Roy (Antczak) set this whole thing up." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.