Owego resident Jim Raftis, Sr., a member of the ROMEOs, or Retired Old Men Eating Out, holds his birthday cake during a ROMEO gathering at Becky’s Diner in Waverly, N.Y. on Tuesday, April 14. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
From left, Waverly, N.Y. Mayor Dan Leary, presents Jim Raftis, Sr. with a unique birthday gift. Born in Waverly, N.Y. on April 11, 1932, the gift of a brick from the former Tioga General Hospital secures Owego resident Raftis’ membership in the Waverly-originated ROMEO group.
Eight of 11 members of the current ROMEO group stand in front of Becky’s Diner, located at 310 Broad St. in Waverly, N.Y. From left, Dan Leary, Bob Hugg, Patrick Ayres, Tom McLean, Jim Smith, Jim Raftis, Sr., Gary Zenker and John Borits gathered on April 14 to celebrate Raftis’ 83rd birthday.
When you hear the name Romeo, it might trigger your mind to think of a high-tech helicopter, or even the beau of a famous young woman named Juliet. But in Waverly, N.Y., a group called the ROMEOs gathered on Tuesday, April 14 at Becky’s Diner located at 310 Broad St. to celebrate the birthday of one of their members, Jim Raftis, Sr.
Eight of the 11 member group called the ROMEOs, otherwise known as Retired Old Men Eating Out, enjoyed breakfast and sipped coffee from their distinctive ROMEO coffee mugs while Raftis opened cards he received marking his 83rd birthday. Amused at the sentiments and surprised that there were no duplicates, Raftis chuckled and commented, “I think the birthday card selections are better in Waverly.”
Friendly conversation and plenty of age-related jokes were shared while birthday cake was served. The cake, from Waverly’s own Dessert First, was a big hit and featured candles, a decorated star and the message “Happy Birthday, Mr. Owego.”
How Raftis, an Owego resident, became a ROMEO member falls into the category, “being in the right place at the right time.” It took some convincing before he was accepted into the group, but come to find out, Raftis was born at the former Tioga General Hospital on April 11, 1932, so his footprints have undeniably been in Waverly for quite some time.
At the birthday gathering, all of the ROMEOs sported their signature hats and most wore their blue polo shirts with embroidered names, which also includes an embroidered likeness of ROMEO founder, Leon Thomas.
Thomas, a former Tioga County Legislator, passed away in 2012. Described as a “pillar of the community” during his 29-year tenure in the Tioga County legislature, Thomas is fondly remembered. Also on the minds of ROMEOs were other members who could not attend, including 97-year old Alan “Doc” Dimon, the oldest living member of the group. Near the front window of Becky’s Diner is a “wall of fame” so-to-speak, which includes the “ROMEOs Memorial” in memory of friends who have passed away.
Owego resident Jim Raftis, Sr., known to many in Tioga County for his ongoing community service including the Owego Little League and Memorial Day Chairman, among others, reads a birthday card during his 83rd birthday gathering with the ROMEOs at Becky’s Diner in Waverly, N.Y. on Tuesday, April 14.
When asked who the ROMEOs are, it was agreed that the group gets together for the fellowship, where they might discuss a variety of topics from world issues to local community happenings, throwing in doses of wit and sarcasm. Yet, sitting at the ROMEO table are not just retired men, but men who have contributed in a variety of ways, including serving their country, and many who have had decades of management experience and collected a wealth of knowledge.
But are the ROMEOs really retired? For himself, ROMEO Bob Hugg clarified, “Semi-retired.” Retired from various area companies, their talk of daily activities would leave anyone wondering what the definition of retirement really is. To name just a few, Tom McLean, a.k.a. “Tommy Teamster,” one of the original ROMEO members, stays active as a school crossing guard while Jim Smith, a ROMEO member for six years, is a bus driver. ROMEO Dan Leary is the Mayor of Waverly and Patrick Ayres is a Village Trustee.
Then there is Jim Raftis, Sr. An active member of Tioga County and the Valley area communities, Raftis’ list of accomplishments and contributions is notable. Raftis, a Korean War veteran, serves as the Memorial Day Chairman and also organizes ceremonies honoring veterans such as Veteran’s Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Wreaths Across America and others.
Raftis has organized Opening Day and other activity associated with the Owego Little League and regularly writes the Veteran’s News Brief column and the Owego Little League News for the Owego Pennysaver. One of Raftis’ favorite sayings, “News never sleeps,” keeps him in contact with Owego Pennysaver staff as he helps discover newsworthy topics.
For example, it was Raftis who suggested to this writer in September 2014 that a story be written about Tioga County native Leo Cornett, a World War II Prisoner Of War. While researching the story, it was learned that Cornett had never received a POW medal. A brief story update, Leo Cornett, with help from family friend and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Becky Halstead, received his long overdue POW medal in early 2015.
Happy Birthday to Jim Raftis, Sr., and thank you for your ongoing contributions to the community.
