Goleta man celebrates his 100th birthday

A Goleta man celebrated his 100th birthday at the Goleta Senior Center on Tuesday.

Mael Melvin’s friends at the senior center threw him a special party including music and birthday cake.

His caregivers fondly call him Professor as he taught physics at Columbia, Florida State and Temple University. He was also active in research through his 90s.

So, what’s the secret to a long and healthy life?

“I eat well,” he said.

“That’s a good part of it. Eating well, exercise just having a stimulating life,” said his son, Paul Melvin.

Mael and his wife Sophia have been married for 67 years. Mael was born in an area of Israel that is now Palestine and moved to the United States when he was one. He and his wife moved to Goleta more than 30 years ago.