{"id":41924,"date":"2015-04-18T22:37:58","date_gmt":"2015-04-18T22:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/owegopennysaver.com\/?p=41924"},"modified":"2015-04-21T01:18:39","modified_gmt":"2015-04-21T01:18:39","slug":"romeos-celebrate-a-notable-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2015\/04\/18\/romeos-celebrate-a-notable-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"ROMEOs celebrate a notable birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ROMEOs<\/a>

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.\u00a0 (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"ROMEOs<\/a>

From left, Waverly, N.Y. Mayor Dan Leary, presents Jim Raftis, Sr. with a unique birthday gift.\u00a0Born in Waverly, N.Y. on April 11, 1932, the gift of a brick from the\u00a0former Tioga\u00a0General Hospital\u00a0secures Owego resident\u00a0Raftis’\u00a0membership in the Waverly-originated\u00a0ROMEO group.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"ROMEOs<\/a>

Eight\u00a0of 11 members of the current ROMEO group stand in front of Becky’s Diner, located at 310 Broad St. in Waverly, N.Y.\u00a0From 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.<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u2019s Diner located at 310 Broad St. to celebrate the birthday of one of their members, Jim Raftis, Sr.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cI think the birthday card selections are better in Waverly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friendly conversation and plenty of age-related jokes were shared while birthday cake was served. The cake, from Waverly\u2019s own Dessert First, was a big hit and featured candles, a decorated star and the message \u201cHappy Birthday, Mr. Owego.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Raftis, an Owego resident, became a ROMEO member falls into the category, \u201cbeing in the right place at the right time.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Thomas, a former Tioga County Legislator, passed away in 2012. Described as a \u201cpillar of the community\u201d 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 \u201cDoc\u201d Dimon, the oldest living member of the group. Near the front window of Becky\u2019s Diner is a \u201cwall of fame\u201d so-to-speak, which includes the \u201cROMEOs Memorial\u201d in memory of friends who have passed away.<\/p>\n

\"ROMEOs<\/a>

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.<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But are the ROMEOs really retired? For himself, ROMEO Bob Hugg clarified, \u201cSemi-retired.\u201d 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. \u201cTommy Teamster,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Then there is Jim Raftis, Sr. An active member of Tioga County and the Valley area communities, Raftis\u2019 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\u2019s Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Wreaths Across America and others.<\/p>\n

Raftis has organized Opening Day and other activity associated with the Owego Little League and regularly writes the Veteran\u2019s News Brief column and the Owego Little League News for the Owego Pennysaver. One of Raftis\u2019 favorite sayings, \u201cNews never sleeps,\u201d keeps him in contact with Owego Pennysaver staff as he helps discover newsworthy topics.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to Jim Raftis, Sr., and thank you for your ongoing contributions to the community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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