Brookline Celebrates Its Centenarians

The local Council on Aging honored 27 residents as part of a renewed town tradition.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Civic

Bold vector editorial illustration showing twenty-seven decorative silver candles arranged on a wooden table, representing a centenarian celebration. — The Brookline Council on Aging honored 27 centenarians Saturday at the town's senior center, reviving a historic celebration of lifelong community contributions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Brookline hosted a Party of a Century event at the Brookline Senior Center to honor 27 centenarian residents. The gathering featured live jazz and a formal proclamation designating the day as Party of a Century Day.

Why it matters

The celebration aims to combat ageism and formally recognize the lifelong contributions of the town's oldest residents. It also revives a regional tradition that dates back to the early 20th century.

The town recognized 27 centenarians during the program, while five individuals attended the celebration in person. Brookline is now the 547th town in New England to revive the historic gold-headed cane tradition.

The players

Brookline Council on Aging

This town department is dedicated to providing programs and services that support the independence and well-being of older residents.

Select Board

This body serves as the executive branch of the town government and is responsible for setting local policy and town meeting agendas.

Francis DiMento

He is a centenarian honoree who is currently 99.5 years old and is scheduled to turn 100 in March.

Judith Juster

She is a centenarian honoree who is currently 102 years old.

Jayantilal Doshi

He is a centenarian honoree who reached the age of 100 in August 2026.

The details

The Council on Aging organized the festivities, which included musical performances and a special toast for the honorees. Local officials also marked the occasion by declaring October 19, 2026, as Party of a Century Day.

1909: The Boston Post began distributing gold-headed canes to New England towns.
1930: Women officially became eligible for the cane tradition.
2019: Brookline held its most recent centenarian celebration.
August 2026: Jayantilal Doshi reached the age of 100.
October 19, 2026: The town officially celebrated Party of a Century Day.

Industry Dynamics

The event follows the pattern established by the Boston Post gold-headed cane tradition, which historically recognized the oldest resident in each New England town. The celebration marks Brookline's formal reentry into the long-standing regional custom of honoring its centenarian population.

Residents can engage with town-wide programs by contacting the Council on Aging for future scheduling of community events. The designation of the day highlights new opportunities for intergenerational interaction throughout the city.

The takeaway

The event serves as a reminder of the historical importance of valuing aging populations within the community. Families are encouraged to check local town bulletins for information on upcoming civic celebrations that recognize long-term residents.