Exclusive | California 96-year-old who died at birthday after dancing to ‘Stayin’ Alive’ is ID’d as ‘local legend’ — as friend reveals secret health battle

A 96-year-old California man who died at his Halloween-themed birthday party after dancing to “Stayin’ Alive” has been identified as a “local legend” in West Los Angeles. TikTok’s viral “Vito” is actually 96-year-old Vito Justin Martinaitis, who partied with his young friends at his Santa Monica home moments before passing away last month. Caleb Turner, 34, who told The Post that Martinaitis named him one of his “greatest best friends” in the days before he died, said he was well-known in Venice and was the “life of the party” even in his advanced age. “He was not a normal 96-year-old,” Turner said, noting he went out multiple times a week and even jumped his fence a few weeks before his death. Martinaitis lived alone, Turner said, since his wife died a few years ago. Turner believed he was in good physical health before his sudden death. Martinaitis was originally from Chicago and worked as an architect before settling in California, his friend said.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.