Nation's oldest TSA officer honored with surprise 90th birthday celebration at OC airport

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A longtime Transportation Security Administration officer at John Wayne Airport was celebrated this week as colleagues, friends and family gathered to honor his 90th birthday.

Lawrence Santucci, known throughout the Orange County airport for his upbeat greetings and steady presence, has spent years screening passengers, training new hires and assisting travelers with special needs.

"I love people. I've been a people person from day one," he said.

Santucci's life has been shaped by service, from working on a farm in Rhode Island to serving in the Army.

"It's been a beautiful journey. It really has. All the people I've ever met, including my crew here," Santucci said.

He joined TSA in 2008 in his 70s. He had gone through a challenging time financially after spending many years in the telecommunications industry and had to find a new career path. He was elated when he got the job.

"You had to be able to carry weights ... Sixty pounds," he recalled. "So I went to Dick's Sporting Goods, I put two 60 pounds, I was walking around Dick's Sporting Goods with these two weights to make sure when I came in here I could. I was in great physical shape."

Now recognized as the oldest TSA officer in the country, Santucci arrived at work before sunrise this week unaware that a celebration was waiting for him. Colleagues described him as a positive force at the airport.

"He greets the day with a smile and it shows and he treats the passengers and his co-workers exactly that way. It's uplifting," said Kevin Gregory of TSA.

TSA Federal Security Director Jason Pantages called Santucci "inspirational", adding that he "gets more compliments than probably most of our people here."

Santucci's daughter, Marie Pickard, said his dedication has always been rooted in putting others first.

"My dad is so special. He always puts people first and our country first before himself. I think that gives him the sense of purpose that he has to everyone," Pickard said.

Asked whether he had plans to retire, Santucci brushed off the idea.

"What am I going to do if I retire? Sit down?" he said.