Jun 29, 2005 / 22:00 pm
John and Amelia Rocchio say the secret to the their 82-year marriage is love. The couple, who met when she was 17 and he was 19, may well be the longest-married couple in the world. John is now 101, and Amelia is 99.
The couple was wed in a Roman Catholic church in Providence in 1923 and had two daughters. Their younger daughter lives with them.
John and Amelia shared their story and the secrets to their long-lasting marriage with the Associated Press recently. John recounted how he spotted Amelia one day after school, and he was immediately smitten. He said he admired the combination of her intelligence and attractiveness.
She was a "perfect" wife, John recalled, preparing dinners for him, including his favorite pasta and beans, and putting up with his passion for new cars. In turn, he accompanied her often to the theater and to vaudeville shows. John retired in the mid-1970s after a long career as a compositor for The Providence Journal.
“Patience and understanding will get you a long way,” he remarked.
Guinness credits a British couple with holding the world record with an 80-year marriage, but the husband died earlier this month at 105.
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