Zia Oram rang in 2012 on Sunday in truly historic fashion. The five-year West Bloomfield resident and Iraqi immigrant celebrated his 100th birthday at Farmington Manor with family who came from all over the country to wish the Oram family patriarch a happy new year.

"He's been counting every day through the whole year to see if he'd make it to this day," laughed Christine Oram, a West Bloomfield resident and Zia's 10th child. "His favorite saying is, 'That which you measure in life is measured back to you.' This whole party is a reflection to what he's given his family, his faith and his community."

The occasion was also marked with recognition from Pope Benedict XVI, President Barack Obama, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and local politicians and community leaders, including U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township), and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Martin Manna, who was quoted in a news release extolling Oram's virtues.

"A pillar of our community for more than 50 years, Zia showed his family and other Chaldeans the importance of dedication in achieving the American dream," wrote Manna. "His 100th birthday is another in a long line of accomplishments, and we wish many more to an exemplary man." American dream fulfilled

Born in 1912 in the Iraqi village of Tel Kaif (population: 12,000) nine miles north of Mosul, Zia initially made his living selling goods including fruits, chicken and wheat to the villagers in his much-beloved Ford truck. He also worked for 35 years as a taxi driver in the village, where he stayed true to his Chaldean Catholic faith by transporting the orphaned, widowed and poor for free.

"He raised his children with the firm belief that faith and a strong work ethic would take you far in life, and I think that he personified that more than anyone I know," Christine said.

In 1962, at age 50, Zia immigrated to the U.S. and moved to Detroit with his wife, Shamama, and eventually welcomed all 11 of his children who were born in Iraq -- as well as some 400 other Iraqi immigrants -- to work in Metro Detroit. He welcomed an American-born daughter in 1967 and worked for more than 10 years as an Elias Brothers/Big Boy restaurants employee in its warehouse operations, which Christine said were the best days of his working life in the United States.

"He came over here with nothing. He has no formal education and he can't read or write. He can't speak English. But, he made it," Christine said. "He hasn't only given us the blessing of 100 years, but he's set up this American dream for all of us in his family and many more people."

The family celebrated Sunday with traditional Chaldean dancing, food and prayer, as Christine said that all 12 children and 79 grandchildren were in attendance.

However, the partying isn't quite over for the Oram family. Come April of this year, Zia and Shamama will celebrate 75 years together as a married couple.

"It's truly a monument to faith and hard work," Christine added.