Bernando LaPallo, Super Centenarian, Dead at 114
Arizona resident, author and lecturer on the health and longevity Bernando LaPallo died in his home on December 19, 2015 in the city of Tempe in the presence of his oldest granddaughter, Erika Chamberlin. “He died quickly and without any chronic illness. His heart simply stopped beating. He followed the same daily routine the day he died as he did every single day of his life. It was simply his time to go. He was at peace with himself and his life.” says Chamberlin. LaPallo was born in Victoria, Brazil in 1901 migrating to the United States as a little boy with his father residing in Philadelphia and later New York City.
An inspiration to thousands of people around the world for his youthful appearance, razor sharp social skills and his unswerving dedication to his daily health regimen, Bernando LaPallo was best known for his catch phrase, “Keep your liver and colon clean” which he considered crucial for a healthy life. A regular on local TV and newspapers, LaPallo enjoyed four different careers over his century lifespan, his latest successes being the publication of a full color print edition of his e Book “Beyond 100 – How to Live Well Into Your Second Century” in two languages just before his 114 birthday.
An Arizona resident since 2002, he was a doctor’s son who became a 5 star chef after training in Paris at The Sorbonne in the late 1920’s for the culinary arts. For decades he worked at resorts and steam liners up and down the East Coast and during World War II with the Merchant Marines plying his trade as a chef. After becoming disenchanted with the restaurant business due to the industrialization of the food industry, he changed careers obtaining his license from the Swedish Institute of Massage in New York City at age 71. Two years later, at age 73, he graduated from New York University for reflexology and podiatry. Always thirsty for knowledge, he studied herbology with Dr. Richard Schulze of the American Botanical Pharmacy. After running a successful massage practice for 20 years in Queens, NY, he moved to North Carolina and came out of retirement as a chef cooking for Sapona Ridge Country Club in Lexington, NC. It was his move across country to Mesa, Arizona however, that would seal his fate for his fourth career as author and lecturer. Having caught the eye of a local newspaper that published an article on him, local writer Anne Cornelius decided she had to meet Lapallo. After experiencing what she called “ a complete paradigm shift,” her encounter with Bernando would lead to a collaboration that produced his first book “Age Less, Live More – Achieving Health and Vitality at 107 Years and Beyond”.
He made countless appearances in the Phoenix metro area such as the Multi Gen Center in Apache Junction, The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, churches, water shows and even traveled out of state to Pennsylvania, California and Brooklyn, New York to speak to live audiences well into his hundreds. In his 112th year LaPallo’s national and international popularity increased after appearing at Yankee Stadium being recognized as the oldest living Yankee fan when the photo of LaPallo shaking hands with “The Captain”, Derek Jeter went national. LaPallo was acknowledged as “The Oldest Living Brazilian in the State of Arizona” by Brazil Day Arizona, and was older than the state of Arizona itself. National Geographic’s digital magazine Voices & the BBC 2 both featured Lapallo – the former in a Q & A style article “ Recipe for a Long Life” and the latter in London Times food critic Giles Coren’s documentary “Eat to Live Forever” exposing him to audiences in the United Kingdom. There seem to be countless you tube video interviews with LaPallo. He was a sought after guest for podcasts focused on health talking with show hosts as far away as Australia.
On March 24, 2016 Erika will be holding a live event “How to Live to 100 in Good Health” at The Studio, located at the Noni Life & Wellness, 950 W Apache Trail, Suite 1, Apache Junction, Arizona from 2- 4PM . The event is FREE but space is limited. Books will be available for signing while supplies last. Call Michelle at Noni Life at (480) 444 – 6555 for more information about the event. Erika says a new book project is being completed posthumously.
She explains it was her grand fathers wish to reach the younger population and their parents being concerned with the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in children. Her upcoming projects include a legacy podcast and video project based on the life of her grandfather. Lapallo is survived by a daughter, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter the actress Lee Chamberlin in 2014 best known for her role as original cast member in “The Electric Company”. As per his wishes LaPallo’s ashes have been scattered at sea. A Bernando LaPallo Award has been created in his honor by the Diana Gregory Outreach Foundation based in Phoenix , a non profit organization that distributes fresh produce to inbound seniors.
