Great fathers strengthen communities

Father’s Day was celebrated last weekend, but it’s not about one day of appreciation, is it? I asked three retired dads in my neighborhood to share how they spend their time now that they don’t have parenting responsibilities.

Jim Rivette shared this: “After 45 years of working at both Shared Technologies Corporation and United Technologies, I now had what my  father called payback time. I chose to become involved in SCORE,  a national nonprofit association with over 12,000 volunteers and 320 Chapters across the US. Our mission is to assist individuals starting new small businesses and to help existing businesses prosper. Counselors like me provide free consulting. 

“One of my clients, Chris Lopez, wanted to open an auto repair facility in Georgetown. He was looking at an expensive building and tools. I found a family who wanted to sell their auto facility & business at only a fraction of his estimated startup costs. 

“Today my client owns one of the busiest garages in the area, Community Auto Repair. It’s very satisfying knowing that I'm helping people fulfill their dreams, contribute to the local economy and to create jobs.”

Jim Ruth, a recently retired financial planner, wrote this: “Like most who retire after a successful career, it's hard to just flip the off switch, put your feet up and just cruise through the rest of your life.  For me that meant redirecting my energy to some activities that gave me the same sense of purpose and accomplishment that my career had also offered.  

“Recently I co-chaired Flags For Heroes for the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club where I'm responsible for raising money through corporate sponsorships.  For over 40 years I managed money for affluent clients, but now I get to give money away to people and organizations who don't have enough of it.  What a role reversal!

“I also deliver Meals On Wheels to area shut-ins which is my weekly reminder to count my blessings and feel grateful. During the holidays you may catch me ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at  the Rehoboth Walmart. I also sit back and a drink beer and think retirement is a great life!”

Neighbor Rich Gromelski writes, “It’s been two years since I retired and we moved from New Jersey to our new home in the Senators, and there has been very little time where I sit and do nothing.  

“I love fishing and driving my Jeep onto the shore. I am learning the local knowledge as to where, when and what to use for fishing by reading the newspapers and the internet, but mostly I watch fellow fishermen and listen. 

“I also play golf twice a week with the Indian River Seniors and the Senators’ group that I organized. The Indian River Seniors play a lot of different courses on Delmarva and get great discounts on greens fees. In the fall and early winter I hunt in the state parks and would like to find a hunting club or meet a farmer who will let me hunt on his land. 

“My dad was a very caring father and he introduced his children to all sorts of outdoor activities. I raised my only daughter the same way.  In May I welcomed the the birth of my first grandchild Carter. His birth has made me reflect on the miracle of life and what an amazing universe we live in.”

Thank you to great dads and even greater citizens who strengthen our communities every day. 

Write to lgraff1979@gmail.com and visit me on my Facebook page, Retirement 101.