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Fountain of Youth
World War II veteran Dominic Critelli claims he found the fountain of youth through music. At 104, he still plays the saxophone beautifully every day.
Critelli’s talents were on full display Saturday night when he played the National Anthem before the puck dropped for the New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers hockey game at UBS Arena on Long Island.
Decked out in a custom-made blue and orange Islanders jersey with No. 104 sewn on the sleeves and back, Critelli took a seat near the boards, with a stand and sheet music in front of him. Proudly wearing a World War II Veteran baseball cap, Critelli wet his lips and began playing the National Anthem on his beloved sax. As he approached the end and the “home of the brave” portion of the song, Critelli hit a long, drawn-out high note, proving those 104-year-old lungs are still strong and healthy.
When he finished, the 17,255 fans that packed the UBS Arena gave the World War II veteran a standing ovation. Eyes twinkling, Critelli beamed with a smile as he saluted the Islanders’ faithful.
“When I’m playing, I feel energized,” Critelli told Fox 5 News in New York. “I feel like, oh jeez, I’m young again.”
Not only was the crowd treated to Critelli’s delightful National Anthem rendition, but the hometown Islanders blanked the rival Rangers 2-0.
Playing Sax for Decades
Critelli is a throwback to a bygone era. He was born in 1921. President Warren G. Harding resided in the White House. Margaret Gorman, from Washington, D.C., was crowned the first Miss America. Babe Ruth, in his second season with the Yankees, was ascending to his throne as king of baseball.
Critelli came to the U.S. with his family as an eight-year-old boy. When he was about 13, he picked up a sax and started learning music. It sparked a love affair that’s spanned more than 90 years.
To put it into perspective, Critelli was already 86 years old when Islanders rookie and first-round draft pick Matthew Schaefer was born in 2007.
Critelli said he’s fortunate to be around still more than a century later.
“I’m glad I’m alive,” he said.
In 2024, to honor his military service, he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“He gave me a kiss on the cheek,” Critelli said with a laugh. “I could have done without that.”
Despite performing in front of more than 17,000 hockey fans on Saturday night, Critelli didn’t seem nervous or anxious before taking to the ice. He said he’s never really had stage fright because he enjoys being in the public eye.
“I like people, you know,” Critelli said. “But that’s a lot of people.”
In a 2024 interview, Critelli said the secret to a long life is drinking a little olive oil and enjoying a glass of red wine regularly.
“And it’s gotta be good wine,” Critelli said, his New York accent heavy and thick.
At his age, the World War II veteran appreciates every day. And he doesn’t sweat small details.
“I don’t worry much about the future,” he said.
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22 Comments
I’m curious to know more about Critelli’s experience serving in World War II and how it has influenced his life and music.
I’m impressed that Critelli didn’t seem nervous or anxious before performing in front of more than 17,000 hockey fans, and his enjoyment of being in the public eye is evident.
I’m excited to see how Critelli’s story will inspire others to pursue their passions and interests, regardless of their age.
The standing ovation Critelli received from the 17,255 fans at the UBS Arena is well-deserved, and his beaming smile and salute to the crowd are heartwarming moments.
The fact that Critelli has been fortunate enough to be alive for over a century is a remarkable achievement, and his gratitude for life is evident in his comments.
The fact that Critelli has played the saxophone for so many years and is still able to perform beautifully is a remarkable achievement, and his story is a valuable contribution to the history of music.
The fact that Critelli came to the U.S. from Italy as a child and has lived through so many historical events is fascinating, and his story is a valuable part of American history.
Critelli’s secret to a long life, which includes drinking a little olive oil and enjoying a glass of red wine regularly, is interesting and might be worth exploring further.
The contrast between Critelli’s age and the age of the Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer is striking, and it highlights the different eras and generations that Critelli has lived through.
The fact that Critelli was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2024 is a notable achievement and recognizes his military service.
It’s amazing that Critelli was already 86 years old when Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer was born in 2007, which puts his long life and musical career into perspective.
The fact that Critelli was born in 1921, a time when President Warren G. Harding resided in the White House, is a fascinating historical context for his life and story.
The custom-made blue and orange Islanders jersey with No. 104 sewn on the sleeves and back that Critelli wore during his performance is a nice touch and shows his connection to the team.
Critelli’s performance of the National Anthem, which included a long, drawn-out high note, shows that his lungs are still strong and healthy at 104 years old.
The fact that Dominic Critelli has been playing the saxophone for over 90 years is truly remarkable, and his performance of the National Anthem at the Islanders-Rangers game is a testament to his enduring passion for music.
I’m concerned that Critelli’s story might be an exception rather than the rule, and that not everyone may be able to experience the same benefits from music that he has.
The combination of Critelli’s musical talent, his military service, and his long life makes him a truly remarkable individual, and his story is an inspiration to many.
I’m skeptical about the idea of a ‘fountain of youth’ through music, but Critelli’s story is certainly inspiring and suggests that music can have a profound impact on one’s life.
Critelli’s love affair with the saxophone, which began when he was about 13, is a beautiful example of how music can bring joy and fulfillment to one’s life.
Critelli’s New York accent and humorous comment about the French President’s kiss on the cheek add a personal touch to his story and make him more relatable.
Critelli’s ability to connect with people through his music, as evident in his performance at the Islanders-Rangers game, is a valuable gift, and his story is an inspiration to many.
Critelli’s comment that he feels ‘young again’ when playing music is a powerful testament to the impact of music on one’s life and well-being.