# 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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/california-96-year-old-who-died-at-birthday-after-dancing-to-stayin-alive-is-idd-as-local-legend-as-friend-reveals-secret-health-battle/
- Published: 2026-11-10T23:44:55+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T00:23:09+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/10/us-news/california-96-year-old-who-died-at-birthday-after-dancing-to-stayin-alive-is-idd-as-local-legend-as-friend-reveals-secret-health-battle/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Vito Martinaitis, 96, died at his birthday party.
- A video showed him dancing to “Stayin’ Alive” shortly before.
- His friend said he had heart problems and could not undergo a procedure.

## Summary

Vito Justin Martinaitis, a 96-year-old West Los Angeles resident known locally as a lively presence, died during his early 97th birthday party in Santa Monica. He had been dancing to the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” shortly beforehand, and a video of the moment spread widely online, prompting both tributes and criticism of the person who posted it.

His friend Caleb Hunter said Martinaitis socialised several times a week, attended Mass with the group and had recently jumped a fence. Hunter said Martinaitis had heart problems and was considered unsuitable for a necessary procedure, though he believed his friend was otherwise in good physical health. The party was held on 29 October, with a few dozen guests; Hunter called emergency services when Martinaitis became unwell.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.