34 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2019
PRESS HEALTH
LOVE LESSONS FROM LONG-LASTING LOCAL COUPLES
Pat and Ann Marie Scarola, of East
Northport, were married May 30,
1971. They have three children and six
grandchildren. The couple attribute
their successful relationship to being
able to communicate with honesty
and sensitivity.
Years ago, they attended a “marriage
encounter,” a sort of couple’s
retreat, which encouraged them to
put their feelings on paper and then
share them without judgement.
“We have notebooks filled with
love letters,” says Pat Scarola.
It hasn’t always been easy, though.
“Some marriages are like a merrygo
round; ours was a roller coaster,
but it’s been an amazing ride,” he says.
“We’re probably happier today than
at any other time in our marriage. We
enjoy being with one another.”
Dr. Jeff and Regina Finkelstein, of
Baldwin, were married September
9, 1984. They have two children.
The couple owe their healthy, happy
marriage to mutual respect and unwavering
love.
“You chose each other to go through
this crazy journey we call ‘life’,” says
Regina Finkelstein. “Make an effort
to treat that person with respect and
understanding. Do the day-to-day stuff
with a smile. Celebrate the good times!”
Al and Patricia Centamore, of Deer
Park (father- and mother-in-law of the
author), were married June 15, 1968.
They started “going steady” when
they were teenagers.
“We were very much in love,” the
couple recall.
They credit their long-lasting relationship
to supportive families, good
friends and a strong foundation of
love. While family has always been
the chief focus, keeping romance
alive has also remained a priority. The
Centamores, who recently renewed
their vows, pride themselves on their
compassionate and supportive nature
toward one another.
“When you have fun together, it
helps you get through everything
else,” says Patricia Centamore. Regarding
parenting, she says, “You
naturally take on different roles. It’s
very important for both parents to
present as united with the kids.”
William and Laura McLean, of
Huntington Station, were married
October 19, 1975.
“We met out in Montauk,” says
Laura McClean. “He was camping,
and I was staying at the Wavecrest
next door.”
He was 18 and she was 17.
“It was love at first sight,” she says.
They have three sons and four
grandchildren. By the time they
had children, five years after they
were married, their bond was super
strong, with friendship, hope,
common family values, and of course,
love that allowed them to celebrate
good times and persevere through
the toughest.
“There is such a great sense of
gratitude” she says. “We feel blessed.”
Frederick and Shirley Hughes, of
East Northport, were married November
25, 1951.
Best friends forever, the pair boast
six children, 15 grandchildren, 15
great-grandchildren and two more
on the way!
“We do everything together,” says
Shirley Hughes. “We go out to dinner,
shop, go to casinos and see plays in
Northport…he still brings me flowers,”
she adds.
“We never forget the special times
— the honeymoon,” says Frederick
Hughes. They have always avoided
“heated arguments,” he adds. “We
hug and kiss, forgive and forget.”
All these couples share the sentiment
that a good marriage does not
mean a perfect marriage. Marriage
takes work. Treasure each experience
as an adventure you share
together, they advise.
continued from page 33
“A good marriage does not mean
a perfect marriage.”
Gina’s miracle wasn’t beating
colon cancer. It was having a
baby at the same time.
With colon cancer so close
to her unborn child, other
hospitals couldn’t help them
both. But thanks to the
precision of robotic surgery
and the expertise of her
obstetricians, Gina’s care
team saved two lives at once.
When you Look North,
innovation not
only cures, it cares.
See more of Gina’s story at
Northwell.edu/Robotics
T:8.75”
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