Meet John Balogh!

Meet John Balogh, a resident of our Crosby Commons Assisted and Independent Living Community. John is very well known around the community and has lived at Crosby for almost three years now.

He currently serves as the President of the Resident Council - meeting and greeting new residents, hearing resident concerns and bringing them to the discussion table, and communicating with management staff on behalf of fellow residents.

HOME SWEET HOME….

When you walk into John’s home, it is immediately apparent that he is a huge UConn fan – and especially fond of the UConn women’s basketball team.  John’s apartment is decorated with UConn sports memorabilia as well as a picture of the UConn mascot who actually visited the community.  John does his best to watch every game and has been to UConn with his brother to see the team play.

John grew up in Trumbull and attended Trumbull Center, Edison School and also Bassick High School. He became an electrical engineer and worked at Pitney Bowes.  John’s brother, Edward, lives in New Jersey but manages to visit John a few times a year.

Two things that may attribute to John’s good health and vigor are regular exercise and playing games.  It’s hard to believe that John is 83 years old.   He works out “at least once a day” and is fond of Rummikub, which he plays every night with friends.   John enjoys playing games and doing puzzle books and crosswords.  He’s also a fan of Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit.  Being quite social may also attribute to his youthful demeanor (and help explain how he became so well known around the community).

JUST FOR FUN….

John also enjoys golf and miniature bowling and taking walks to the pond, which is located down the hill from Crosby, on the Wesley Village campus where the community is situated. For entertainment, he enjoys watching The Big Bang Theory and many of the Star Wars movies. He’s also a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series.

When it comes to meal preferences, John’s favorite food is coconut shrimp – prepared and served right here at Crosby Commons by the Dining Services team. One of his favorite vacation spots to visit is Chincoteague Island in Virginia. John often vacationed there with his family. The island is famous for the Pony Swim, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators (http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/pony-swim).

If he could meet a famous person, John admits he’d like to meet…Debbie Reynolds! Wondering why? You’ll just have to ask….. J

WEARER OF MANY HATS…..

John also volunteers at Crosby Commons, assisting residents with their shopping needs, acting as an escort for residents looking to walk our beautiful campus grounds, and facilitating a variety of activities. He is also a wellness advocate, encouraging residents to stay active in our Wellness Center and explaining the many benefits of our regular fitness programs and personal training sessions.

John also offers his support to many worthwhile causes, including the annual Wesley Village road race and several community events and activities, helping to raise funds and encourage involvement that will make a difference in our world.

When he is not visiting fellow residents who are out at rehab, he is volunteering his time to help create and donate bird feeders for the Ansonia Nature Center or package necessity bags for victims of domestic violence. His kind and compassionate heart inspires both staff and residents alike and we are delighted to have him as a member of our community!

(John is a resident of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village and was interviewed by volunteer, Karen O’Brien.)