BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Tony and Ida Muratore talk in their room at Evergreen Carson City on Saturday afternoon about their 64-year marriage. The Muratores can be seen in their wedding picture on the table by the mirror. Ida said her wedding dress cost $20.
Ah, Valentine's Day. A time for young love, chocolates and romantic nights on the town.
But not for Tony and Ida Muratore. They are happy just spending the evening together. After 64 years of marriage, who can blame them?
"Sixty-four years. Maybe this year we'll actually get married," Tony jokes. "But not much else. Roses are for going out, and we don't do that as often as we'd like."
The pair is happy with a trip to out for Chinese food or to the Olive Garden, where Ida's favorite is the eggplant parmesan.
The Muratores were married in September of 1941 (Ida still swears it was October) in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was 26, and she was 21. She paid $20 for her wedding dress. They rented a hall, supplied sandwiches, and had a friend with a record player. They also hired a bouncer.
"You had to have a bouncer in those days to keep the undesirables out and the guests in," Tony, 91, said.
The pair left New York for Northern California in 1950, living in Garden Grove, Gardenia and North Hollywood before moving to Carson City in 1985.
"We weren't making much money then, but we had a better time than these kids do now," Tony said. "We still miss California very much."
Tony admits he learned many things from his wife, including how to dance and be a better fisherman.
"She's a better fisherman than I am, and she's the only one who knew how to filet a fish," Tony said.
Ida, 86, agreed. "He can dance now. At least, dance better."
But after two children, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many years together, the couple faced their biggest struggle in 2005. Because of her declining health, Ida needed to be put in a care facility while Tony was still able to live on his own.
Ida entered Evergreen Carson City, 3050 N. Ormsby Blvd., in May.
"She was in here by herself, and I'd bring her meals and then go home. I'd just be worn down to nothing. Eventually, I decided it would be better to just be with her," Tony said.
Tony decided to join his wife at Evergreen and moved into the same room on Jan. 19.
"Now they are together again," said the couple's son, Louie Muratore of Carson City, "which is how they should be, after 64 years."
-- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
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