Springfield senior wins ‘citizen of year’
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Dave Rorison wears his crown while posing for a photo in the Springfield Senior Center on Thursday. Vyto Starinskas / Rutland Herald |
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By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER - Published: May 29, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — Dave Rorison started coming to the Springfield Senior Center eight years ago, a couple of years after the death of his wife.
Rorison, 81, a native of Rutland who has lived in Springfield since 1947, said he came for the walking program, where seniors walk in the upstairs gymnasium for an hour, sometimes to music.
Rorison soon was doing more than walking at the senior center, getting involved in the center’s strength training, acted as an auctioneer, acted in skits at the center, and drove the convertible with the citizen of the year in last year’s Springfield alumni parade. He was even the referee at the center’s shuffleboard championship.
On Wednesday, Rorison was honored by his fellow Springfield senior citizens with the “citizen of the year” award, which includes a gold paper crown and gift certificates from several area businesses.
Rorison said he comes to the center for the activities and the programs — and the people.
“Primarily it’s for companionship,” said Rorison, who said that he already knew many of the people who participate in the senior center’s various activities.
Terri Emerson, the center’s director, said that fellow seniors elect the senior, and this year Rorison won the election by one vote over Joan Kempf.
Emerson said that people can submit written comments during the election, and Rorison was praised for being helpful, cheerful and witty.
“One ballot reads ‘jolly good fella — always there to help!’ Yes, that’s Dave, always willing to help whenever and wherever needed,” said Emerson, noting that Rorison was praised for socializing with all the different members at the center.
Rorison came to Springfield to work at the now-closed Estey’s Dairy as a milk tester after graduating from the state agriculture school in Randolph. Later, he worked for Idlenot Farm Dairy of North Springfield, testing milk and also delivering the milk.
“When I came to Springfield, there were 14 different dairies in Springfield. Some were quite small,” he said, recalling the biggest dairies were Estey’s, Burton and Idlenot, which closed about 15 years ago.
He and his late wife Eleanor raised five children at their Springfield home.
Town Manager Robert Forguites was on hand for Wednesday’s presentation, to thank Rorison for all his work for the town as well, helping him calculating the final figures on election nights.
Emerson said that 2009 marked the 39th anniversary of the senior center and the 39th time the award was given.
“Dave is always there to help, whenever and wherever,” she said. “He socializes with all and he cares about everyone at the center.”
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com
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