Picture a normal day in the life of a typical 88-year-old man.. Whatever you’re thinking, that’s not how Marty Devlin operates. You’ll likely find him chopping wood and stacking heavy logs, moving cement, cooking (widely known for his Christmas oyster stew), and golfing. He uses a chain saw and teaches tennis. He wrestles with a snowblower and blows leaves off his tennis court and his roof. He exercises in the endless pool he had installed in his house. He pushes a golf cart up a steep hill and replaces divots along the way. He engages with his grandchildren and teaches them. Pay attention, grandkids. You’ll learn from a master – not only the ‘how-tos’ but the work ethic that can help you succeed in life.
If you’re not sure whether to believe a man soon to turn 89 is involved in all these activities, be sure to go through the photo gallery below. It’s documented. And don’t think it’s work for Marty to do all these things many of us would consider work. He doesn’t. With his unmatched positive attitude and love of life, Marty often says that he hasn’t worked a day in his life.
He often says, “I want to be alive as long as I live and live as long as I’m alive.” Sometimes we don’t stop to think about what that really means. For Marty, it’s the way he lives. The magnitude of what he does is mindblowing. Oh, and he went ice skating over the holidays.
Yes, he’s slowed down a little but he has no intention of stopping. The ageless wonder was diagnosed with COPD last year, but you would never know it. He says he’s still doing as much as he can. Marty looks for creative ways to accomplish things while getting in his workout. Can you say push a golf cart backwards! Makes one wonder, what will Marty do next!
Relaxing for Marty might be sitting by the fire reading a philosophy book. Or taking an occasional nap. Or just thinking. He thrives on fixing things and finding better ways to do anything and everything. He’s been told he’s an engineer and he’s been told that his story should be a movie. Listen up, Hollywood.
“Some people go to the gym. I go to the wood pile. Right on my property,” said Marty. “I understand what I should be doing to stay alive.”
Most anyone Marty knows is aware that he is writing a memoir and that it’s taking longer than he originally thought. Part of the reason is what he’s learning through this project. He now has a better understanding of what drove him to accomplish so much. And he continues to recall more details of his early life. Note that the book is not about what he’s doing at 88 and none of what’s in this newsletter is included in the book. He looks forward to the day, which should happen in 2022, that the book is released. Not just for his sake. He believes that readers will enjoy his story and will learn something about him and about themselves; and be motivated to incorporate the principles he lives by.
There are very few people, if any, out there, who know all the things Marty has done in his life.
“The book project was revealing to me. I understand so much more about myself. I can’t believe I did so much. I thought it was normal. I didn’t talk the walk or walk the talk. I just walked.”
Marty hopes to inspire others to get off the couch. He has three suggestions for everyone approaching their golden years: (1) don’t use age as an excuse to not do things; (2) keep moving; and (3) keep learning – there’s a world of fascinating books out there.
Check out these photos and videos of Marty in action!
By Ann LoPrinzi
Wedges and Mallets
so powerful takes strength to wrestle with it
Put into Service
with 5 of Their Grandkids
