Sharon Shultz helps Doc Dimon with his breakfast bagels. Doc was the first at the Romeo table on Tuesday.
In 2003, the late Leon Thomas founded the Romeo’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out). The remaining founding members that are still alive include Doc Dimon, Waverly Mayor Dan Leary, Jack Millage and Tom McLean. And on Tuesday, the Romeos celebrated another milestone birthday of one of their founding members – Doc Dimon.
Even though he was vacationing in Phoenix, Ariz., Mayor Dan Leary used his iPhone to proclaim Tuesday as Doc Dimon Day in Waverly.
The live conversation on speakerphone drew applause from fellow Romeos seated around tables in Becky’s Diner in Waverly. Leary congratulated Waverly’s “number one citizen” on his 99th birthday, and daughter Linda Dimon enjoyed the special moment.
A prayer for Doc’s continuing good health is rendered by Doc Dimon’s Pastor, Anne Canfield of the Waverly United Methodist Church and joined by daughter Linda Dimon.
Alan Doc Dimon is believed to be Waverly’s oldest living native son; he is a Methodist church member, WWII veteran, Rotarian with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship, and a retired 44-year practicing optometrist. He is widely known and respected in Waverly and wherever he travels, former patients exchange greetings.
In WWII in France, Doc was a U.S. Army Lieutenant in charge of a detail of 100. His mission was to transport wounded combat soldiers to field hospitals from the battlefields of Cherbourg and the port City of LeHarve during the Battle of Normandy and after the June 6, 1944 landings on the French coast.
Doc Dimon is the oldest member of the Waverly United Methodist Church.
His Pastor, Anne Canfield, offered a special blessing in thanksgiving for Doc Dimon’s continuing good health. After the prayer, Rev. Canfield stated that for Doc’s 100th birthday she would host a big celebration in church with lots of centennial specials.
Fellowship on Tuesday included a couple cups of coffee with reflections. Doc opened and laughed at the humorous birthday cards – including one from Joe Schmieg that said, “Relax, I’m only here for the cake,” and had a picture of the Grim
Reaper with Scythe.
Waitresses cut the peanut butter chocolate and vanilla cake for all to eat. Doc admitted, and his daughter Linda verified, that he celebrates two birthdays. He was born at home on Chemung Street (then Rt. 17) and his parents failed to record the birth until the next day.
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