Delco honors dozens of outstanding senior athletes
UPPER DARBY >> Anne Shuster of Havertown made a promise to herself last summer.
“I said to myself, when I turn
90, I am going to participate in the Senior Games for the last time and then I am going to retire,” said a smiling Shuster, who has participated in the annual games for 29 years and plans to move from the area soon to live with family.
This summer, the gold medal winning nonagenarian went out on top. In June, she participated in horseshoes, billiards, shuffleboard, five swimming events and nine Track and Field events which included runs and walks. She earned 15 gold medals and one silver this year alone. Through the last two decades, the elder athlete has garnered over 350 medals from Delaware County, Philadelphia, and State Senior Games.
She arrived at the Winner’s Circle Reception, the culminating event of the 2019 Delaware County Senior Games held at the Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center on Tuesday, with two suitcases full of medals and ribbons that she had won through the years. She was ready to celebrate her victories, just like the hundreds of other seniors who attended the annual event
More than 400 athletes, ages
50-103, came out for a celebratory lunch and to participate in the grand finale celebration of the
29th annual Delaware County Senior Games. This year’s games, held June 10-21 at 12 separate venues across the county, featured ten days of competitive events, medal presentations, and inspiring performances from a record 680 participants, who actively competed despite hot, humid, and threatening weather on some days.
“I have a good time every year,” Shuster commented. “I meet lovely people and that’s what I treasure the most.”
Shirley Ruger of Ridley Park is a 12-year participant. This year, the medal winner competed in horseshoes, Wii bowling, shuffleboard, baseball toss, track and
field and the football throw. She estimates that she has about 60-70 medals from over a decade of participation.
“I just love the Senior Games,” Ruger, 82, shared. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all the people. Plus, they’re always fun and very well organized!”
Ivy Johnson, 75, of Upper Darby, echoed Ruger’s thoughts.
“The Senior Games allow me meet a lot of really nice people,” said Johnson, who won a gold medal in bowling games at Sproul Lanes. “I like to bowl because it’s a good exercise for senior citizens.”
The gold medalist says she bowls regularly from September to April at the V&S Elmwood Lanes, 73rd and Elmwood avenues, Philadelphia.
Carol Brennan, 61, of Swarthmore was at the Winners Circle Reception with her husband Sam. They participated, and won medals, in bowling and putt-putt golf.
“I retired recently so I try to keep active. We don’t want to get too old, too fast,” she laughed.
The Belfiglio family made the Senior Games a family affair this year. John Belfiglio, 76, of Havertown, Marie Belfiglio, 70, of Havertown, Sal Belfiglio, 76 of Saylorsburg, Wayne Belifiglio, 68, of Havertown, and Anthony, 78, of Exton, participated in track and field, shuffleboard and a few other sporting events. It was Marie and Wayne’s first year to participate, and the siblings joked that they would convince the only sibling not present, Genevieve, a resident of New Jersey, to join them next year.
“I shamed these guys into participating, so we’ll do the same to her,” joked Anthony, who has participated in the Senior Games for a dozen years, inspiring and encouraging his siblings to get involved.
The oldest athlete, Sye Brandman, of Philadelphia is a spry 103 years old. He has been competing in the games for over 16 years and this year demonstrated his skills in Singles Bowling earning a gold medal.
The oldest female athletes, both 92, are Mary DePaolo-Roach of Havertown and June Robbins of Media. DePaolo-Roach competed in both singles and team bowling and captured a gold medal. Robbins competed in four events: horseshoes, Wii Bowling, mini golf, and track and field, and earned one gold and two silver medals.
The Delaware County Senior Games, now in their 30th year, are sponsored by Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Destination Delco, and the County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA). The Belfiglio siblings made the Delaware County Senior Games a family affair by all participating in June and attending the Winner’s Circle luncheon on Tuesday together. At the celebratory luncheon are John, 76, of Havertown, Sal, 76, of Saylorsburg, Pa., Wayne, 68, of Havertown, Marie, 70, of Havertown, and Anthony, 78, of Exton. The siblings were born and raised in Havertown and are all Monsignor Bonner/ Archbishop Prendergast alumni. They have one other sister, Genevieve of North New Jersey. The siblings said they will encourage her to participate in the Delco Senior Games in 2020.