Resident Spotlight: Fred Columbo

Our Resident Spotlight Blog highlights the lives and work of our UMH residents. Featuring articles written for and by our residents, this blog invites you to take a closer look into our communities and meet the special people who reside there. Enjoy!

Meet Fred Columbo

Fred has been a resident of Crosby Commons for 14 months now. When you meet Fred you may hear birds singing. That’s because Fred, who is quite tech-savvy, has his cell phone programmed for birds and various ringtones. (As I looked for the bird he laughed and admitted he sometimes has a bit of fun with this with fellow-residents.)

Fred fell in love with Crosby Commons after hearing about it from a friend at dinner. He described the staff and community as “phenomenal” – and is thrilled with all the activities, the groups that come to entertain (especially the students from Christian Heritage School), his many friends, and the food. Fred’s favorite meal is breakfast, where the choices are wonderful and his table is set each day with his personal preferences.  

Fred, a lifetime New York Yankees fan, enjoys collecting baseball cards, being outside in the sunshine, and making model cars, but his greatest passion is thoroughbred horses. He has visited many of the racetracks around the country, a favorite being Saratoga, New York. (Visiting the Kentucky Derby is on Fred’s bucket list.) Angel Cordero, Jr., one of the leading thoroughbred horse racing jockeys of all time, is the famous person Fred would most like to meet.

Derby, CT is where Fred was born and lived all his life, attending St. Mary’s School. He also attended Notre Dame and Quinnipiac University before earning his Master’s degree in teaching. (Fred was also Class President of his Junior and Senior Class.) Having taught math to 7^th and 8^th graders for over 35 years, one of Fred’s greatest joys is hearing about the success of former students, many of whom he runs into today. (Even at home in Crosby, Fred finds former students -- Sheila Franco, a nurse, and Mary Ann Milano, the Activities Director) Fred is also very proud of the work he’s done as Chairman of the Derby Inland Wetlands Committee, where he has been instrumental in saving wetlands and improving and expanding the walking trails. 

Fred also likes to travel. Some of his favorite vacations were his trips to Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Wildwood, NJ, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape May. 

“One of the best things about getting older,” states Fred, “is that little things don’t bother you as much and you get a bit wiser. There’s time to reflect on the good experiences in life and stay positive.”

The best advice he’s been given and lives by: don’t give up – and remain positive!

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