Armando & Jim's Story

Armando and Jim are both long-standing Hamiltonians, but they might not have met – and forged a lasting, supportive friendship – if it weren’t for the Y.  

Armando, now an active and engaged nonagenarian, came to Canada from Italy in the 1950s. A tailor for more than 40 years, he and wife Isabella, also from Italy, raised their family in a home they built and where they still live. Jim is a retired Fire Captain who served 34 years with the Hamilton Fire Department. He’s been a member of the Y for more than 40 years.  

Armando and Jim share a commitment to working out. So, when a fellow member introduced them more than seven years ago, and Jim found that changes to bus routes were hampering Armando’s ability to get to the Y, he offered to bring Armando himself. He’s been doing so ever since, five days a week, for a couple of hours each day. What started as helping a fellow workout enthusiast has become a close friendship.  

“I would be lost without Jim,” says Armando. For his part, Jim enjoys spending time with Armando and his family. “I love hearing their stories about coming to Canada,” he says.

Jim and Armando stayed in touch by phone and visited with masks during the pandemic. But they were both thrilled to be back to their normal routine once the Y re-opened.  

“The Y is very important to both of us for physical and mental health,” says Jim. “And it’s not just the activity – the staff always keep an eye out for Armando. His family appreciates the team’s kindness. They tell me so on a regular basis.” 

#Ignitepotential #TheYSavesLives #ShineOn  

 

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