What's your daily routine?
I get up at 4:30 a.m. Get dressed. Take a grapefruit and orange to the office. Stop at a local deli for breakfast and get into the office at about 6:30 or 7 a.m. I work and do my schtick on the air at 10:30 with Carl Reese. I usually head home about 2:00 p.m. Sometimes I go out to dinner, see movies or play cards with friends.
What is your attitude about getting older?
I've talked to a lot of people who say, "I can't wait until I'm 62 to retire" and I always tell them, "don't think that way." Don't say you'll retire. You'll do it permanently. "Just keep going," I tell them. I was able to retire from my profession at age 55. I thought about not working at all and did it for a short time. After that short time, I ran right back to work to stay active. Now, the only time I'll retire is when I can't walk anymore.
I look at it this way-- grow old gracefully. You can't stop progress. You're going to get older. I am happy. I've been a widower for over 25 years now. People ask me if I am lonely, but I say "no." Naturally, I was lonely at the beginning of being single. Now, I read. I go on a lot of trips. I travel to Europe at least once a year. I go to different functions. The point is I am out at events and with family and friends. As long as I can do those things, I do them. I was just in Atlantic City and Windsor with a busload of WRMR listeners. We had a lot of fun. Last year we went to Italy, France, Greece, Russia, Oslo, St. Petersburg, Turkey, and Istanbul. I've traveled so many places; it's hard to remember.
What do you think successful aging is about?
I have to admit to you that I have been fortunate. I've had a good family-my sons, my daughter, grandchildren - and I've always been happy, but you have to make happiness yourself. I love my job at the station. I look forward to going every morning. If you're happy within yourself, then you can make a good life.
What do you do to stay healthy?
I try to live a good clean life. I had triple bypass almost three years ago. I have a bout with a few things here and there. I take them all in stride. I'm laid up for a short time and then I'm "back on the road". I am not going to sit at home and wait. For what? It's up to the individual to have a can-do attitude. And I "can do!"
How would you like society to view older people differently from how they are viewed now?
I think there should be more compassion toward older people. Many younger people look at older people and say, "well, you're just an old fart." Older people are nice people. They make contributions to our community. They're doing things. I've taken busloads of seniors on trips. They deserve to enjoy life. They've worked hard for many years. People should recognize that.
Are you treated differently because of your age?
Well, I always tell people my real age. I'm glad to admit that I'm 82. People don't believe me but what can I tell them? I am young at heart. I don't feel any different than when I was 75.
On helping other seniors.
I've made many friends through the years and get fan mail from my exposure on the radio show. I get a lot of fan mail. People are really nice and come forward to say how much they like the show. The listeners follow us wherever we go. We have fundraisers and events. I do a lot of public service, too. I take seniors on bus tours to Windsor or Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. I'm the host, we all have fun together and everyone knows me. A lot of our listeners relate to Carl [Reese] and I - we're older, we know what it's like to be older. I mingle with people and we try to help them all out with their requests.
What trip are you planning next?
We are scheduled for the Panama Canal, Cancun and San Francisco next February.
Other tidbits:
Fred is currently reading: Theresa Carpenter. Mob Girl: Intimate true story of a notorious Mafia mistress.
Fred's favorite books:
Western novels, anything with action, Cleveland history
Fred's music preferences:
Any jazz musicians, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Jack Jones, Dean Martin, Louis Prima
Fred's final words:
Time flies when you're having fun! |
The dapper and jovial Fred Embrescia graciously sat down to talk with us about his perspectives on aging. Any one who listens to his life philosophy will quickly learn that to Fred, life is to be lived. This 82-year-old retired carpenter and present-day senior ambassador, is busy with the pace of life - dining with friends, participating in fundraisers, traveling to all corners of the world and keeping up with his 10 grandchildren (who love his stories about "the old days" in Cleveland). In fact, he is often amused when his older grandchildren tell him that his social life is more exciting than is theirs! Some people might recognize his voice, since he is on WRMR AM 850 each afternoon with Carl Reese at 12:20 p.m. More people will recognize his warm smile and twinkling eyes, since they greet him frequently at senior and other community events. Whether you know him or not, Fred Embrescia is a proud and friendly man who will go out of his way for family, friends and WRMR listeners.