Joe Facciolo

Joe is another member of Raintree Country Club and I've gotten to know him very while I've worked at the club. Joe is a retired treasurer, who has controlled budgets and cash flows, for major corporations. He has always been in finance for all of his working career and his decision for retirement came about very unexpectedly. The company he had been working for had been sold to a competitor and he didn't really want to retire. The only way, he could continue working was if he moved up to New York and he didn't want to, so it was decided that it would be best to retire instead. It was hard adjusting at first because that structure was gone and he had to find new things to occupy his day.

Joe began golfing four times a week and became more involved with his church. Both of these activities, help keep his mind stimulated, socialize with friends and create new relationships. At his church, he is a part of the Men's Club and they meet once a month to play poker. They also contribute to many charities and there are three things Joe is primarily a part of when it comes to the fundraising part. He helps out with the Christmas tree sales,  fish dinner sales and their annual golf tournament. They were able to raise $50,000 one year and that's an amazing amount. He is able to recapture that feeling of gratification by doing all the fundraising and he is also interacting with many people.

After making a lifestyle change, Joe advises that one should find a hobby to keep up with and that's it is important to fulfill their dreams. He was able to fulfill some of his, which were traveling to North Quebec and going remote island fishing. Don't let anything keep you from doing what you want and there's nothing wrong with being a little selfish.

Joe is a good example of an elder that was having a hard time adapting at first, but was able to overcome the fear and now is able to do the things he wasn't able to do before while working full time.  He still keeps busy, stays active and maintains relationships with new and old friends. Those are all the things most elders need to keep living and to have a purpose again.