Update: See PIX 11’s coverage of Joe and Marianne’s story here. (Click on video.)
By Marianne Hettinger
Joe is a 95-year-old resident of the Upper West Side and former bodybuilder who came in 17th in the 1956 Mr. America competition (no steroids!) and was a dancer for Mae West! He has no family left and lives in poverty, but his heart and mind are rich. My friend Vince and I saw him on Tuesday in the cold, very lightly dressed in a thin jacket and shirt.
I’ve known Joe from Riverside Park since 2001. We said hi and chatted for a while. He has told me over the years that he was born in Lake Como, Italy, but has lived on the Upper West Side since childhood. He speaks English without an accent. He said he used to work in the mailroom of The New York Times. When I asked him if he was cold, he said, with a twinkle in his eye, “I have to suffer, it makes me realize how much I love life.”
Joe, by the way, had been an advocate for the homeless before he lost his own apartment. He now lives in a residence on West 73rd Street for the elderly. He comes from an immigrant family with 10 kids and is the only living family member; has no children or relatives left. His mind is sharp and his self-deprecating humor inspiring. He still goes to Riverside Park to work out, carrying two plastic bags with books in them, which he uses as weights. He says he stays in shape by working out less than he used to, and eating only once a day, at night, a piece of toast, a celery stick. He is grateful for his life and helps other elderly folks. A friend of his in her 90’s just died — she was also alone and, before she died, he brought her to her doctors, and then visited her in hospice. A good soul.
After talking to him, I went about my errands, and then went to 260 Final Sale on Broadway, an outlet between West 75th and 76th streets, where I found a warm puffy jacket by Super Dry for $75 — a great bargain. I went to Joe’s building and, thankfully, he was home. He came down and met me in the lobby. The jacket fit him perfectly. He was very happy and smiled from ear to ear. Now he can love life while being warm!
For inquiries about helping Joe or other needy people, you can email Marianne directly at: hettingermarianne@gmail.com
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Thank you so much for this
So good to know that there are people who care for the elderly.
How can we help?
Thank you so much for asking to help. Joe’s shoes are tattered. He wears a size 9 1/2. If you have a pair of sneakers or a boot, which is either new or new one, he would really appreciate it 🙂 you can reach out to the rag, and they can forward me your email 🙂
I have shoes that size. I can drop them off
at the senior home. what address
I’d love to help too! Can definitely get him a pair of comfy warm boots!
It’s nice to read good news and positive vibes on this site. You and Joe represent the UWS, at least the UWS that I have know for the past 30+ years.
isn’t it great that Joe was able to be placed into a residence in his own neighborhood when he lost his apartment? Something to remember before complaining about the amount of supportive housing in the neighborhood. the amount doesn’t equal the need.
More and plenty of supportive housing for SENIORS. More supportive housing for the drug addicts, mentally ill, ex-cons and illegals we do not need!!
Not everyone can enjoy the entitlements of living decades in a rent regulated apartment then buying their apartment at a rock bottom price thru a crooked insider purchase deal.
This is why we have supportive housing in the neighborhood.
Great story! And you too are a great soul!
Looking so sharp all of you! Thanks so much for doing this.
That was such a kind deed you did for Joe! Thank you for your generosity and Friendship to Joe.
That’s lovely. But it would also be nice if people could get together to make sure Joe has more to eat than one piece of toast and a celery stick a day. Can someone–a social worker perhaps–coordinate so he get Meals on Wheels for, at least, two free solid meals per day? He can still stay in shape while eating more than what he currently does.
How about going to a senior center! Their meals are free, healthy and tasty. I eat there every day!
Thank you for your compassion. We offered to get him food and he said he was fine. But whatever we bring him he takes. We brought him vitamin c, a shirt etc . I will make sure he’s ok.
Marianne — Can you ask WSR (Avi) to put us together via email or text, so we can plan shoes for Joe. I’m hesitant to put my contact information here publically. I wrote to Avi, but have not heard back.
Marianne’s email is at the end of the article
What a beautiful story!
I’m willing to pay most of buying Joe a really good pair of winter boots. I suspect it will cost about $200 if we let him go to Tip Top and pick out what he wants. I would not embarrass him by going shopping with him. I would simply buy a credit for him to use to make his choice. I wrote to WSR to ask how to coordinate this. Please contact WSR if you want to help. The founder of WSR has known me for 10 years so he knows this is not a scam posting.
may I suggest Housing Works 74th Columbus? Many boots low price all sizes
Thank you Joe, Marianne & WSR for this story. I would also be happy to contribute something (via WSR?), whether for shoes or food. I also don’t want to embarrass him by making a donation towards a ‘food fund,’ per se. But maybe if there’s a little something I can perhaps give to Marianne to help with the purchase of the food that gets brought to Joe…
You are so very kind, Jude, I’ll ask Joe if he needs more food. I asked him tonight if he was ok and he said yes. But maybe he has an elderly friend in the building who needs help- I’ll find out. 🙏🏼
Is Tip Top the only option? They may rip him off and sell him used ones like they once tried to do to me. Despise that store.
Wow! Didn’t know that about tip top. Bloomingdales outlet store on 72nd street has men’s shoes in the basement .
And I love the store. Have been shopping there for 30 years. Know various salespeople. Don’t understand the “used” comment but sorry you had a bad experience.
Thank you so much, Harriet! How very generous of you! I’ll reach out to the rag and Joe:-)🙏🏼💖
Marianne, you and Joe are wonderful.
What a act of kindness
Good for you! You performed a generous and thoughtful kindness, in spite of all the despair in the world, in this holiday season of hope.
This is the story we all need to hear.
The world needs more people like you and Joe. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of love, kindness, empathy and compassion at a time when we need it the most!
Why is this man living on one piece of toast per day? He’s not going to stay in shape that way, he’s going to starve. If he lives in a residence for the elderly, they must have social workers to coordinate access to healthy food.
Thanks so much for your outreach, Marianne, but can someone reach out to facilitate the meals?
I don’t think the food they have at the facility is very healthy. Joe does go to Trader Joe’s . I’ll ask him again if I can help with food and will update you. Thank you!
Huh??? The only Senior Residence I know of on West 73 street is Hamilton House and they serve lunch 6 days a week and dinner 5 days a week. All meals on their menu are nutritionally balanced and healthy and they ask for a voluntary contribution of $1.76 for lunch and $2.00 for dinner. Take a look at their dinner menu: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/projectfind/pages/601/attachments/original/1491846270/hamilton_dinner.pdf?1491846270. I understand that he may not have the funds to pay-then he could have meals on wheels or other services. ANYTHING is healthier than a piece of toast and celery or toast, broccoli and peanut butter which was in the story on Nextdoor !
Repeating others, DOROT is established and structured to help the elderly in many ways, full stop. There’s also City Meals on Wheels, which seems totally logical for Joe. 🍀🌲🍀
What a wonderful story, about how people touch each others’ hearts.
How to help the other Joes?
Just a suggestion, of course, but I buy 100% cotton XL socks in bulk at the beginning of every winter and I always keep a clean, new pair on me whenever I leave the house to hand out to people I see that need them when it’s cold. The number one most requested item in homeless shelters is socks. Just today I noticed a homeless individual on the train who didn’t have any socks and I offered him the clean, new socks I had and he was very grateful.
Yes! I do it spontaneously, I have helped out at least 5 people this season and even when funds are limited, a small gesture, a sandwich for a homeless, a couple bucks here and there and 2nd hand clothes are often very much appreciated:-)
What a beautiful gesture!! I’ve met Joe and spoken to him a few times. Always happy to see him walking around the neighborhood. He must have done many things right in his long life to reach 95 and be healthy in the body, mind and soul. God Bless You Joe!
What else does he need besides shoes?
A very kind gentleman, Jose Solano, just bought him socks and sneakers and I’ll be meeting him tomorrow to give them to Joe;-)
How about socks? Underwear? Gloves?
Thank you, I’ve been reading the posts to Joe and he says he has socks, underwear and gloves now 🙂
Please get him some FOOD! He needs more help than a coat. toast and celery once a day??? Can he not be on a food program? or qualify for food at one of the churches that distribute?
Awesome article…the world needs more people like you. I hope has a wonderful holiday season and continues to have such a positive attitude.
A great, heart-warming story! Many years of happiness to Joe!
Does Joe need warm gloves?
Thank you, he said he has gloves. Very kind of you.
Thank you so much, dear neighbors, for reaching out, your compassion, and some people wanting to help! Tonight they featured us on the WPIX 11 with Magee Hickey and Joe received a pair of new sneakers and socks from Jose Solano. Please have patience, if I don’t answer you right away, I am a bit flooded by people wanting to help , not just Joe but also the other folks in the senior citizen facility at 141 West 73rd street. So much kindness all around!
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/manhattan-neighbors-help-95-year-old-man-get-winter-coat/
I know Joe very well, a happy-go- lucky
kind of fellow.
I sit with him on the bench in the park
almost every day. He Loves to talk about
History & Life! He always has me laughing! Even my Labrador laughs!
I bring him grapes & dark chocolate.
He likes Chicken too!
How can we help the other residents at the senior housing?
Thank you so much for asking. I wrote to social services at the Hamilton house and talked to a social worker there yesterday and will update you when I hear. 🙏🏼
A feel good story, and kudos to you. In these times I needed that.
Please tell Mr. Joe that I will bring him a small “BUTTER BALL” Turkey on Christmas day- with cranberry sauce & mashed potatoes with that Wonderful Creamy IRISH BUTTER!
Ask him what would be a good time?
Thank You for Caring!
Ali Baba: this is very kind of you and the dish sounds ao yummy. I read it too Joe yesterday and he thanks you but he lives on a strict diet he says and unfortunately can’t accept it. Bless you!
This is the spirit of the UWS and the holiday season. Love it.
I HAVE THAT JACKET< ITS VERY NICE AND WARM