Ted Cooper: Spotlight on Rye Y’s Oldest Member
I’ll be turning 99 years old in October and intend to celebrate by just being alive. I’ve been a member here at the Rye Y for the
last 6 years and spend half of my time in Rye, the other half in Florida. I was married for 68 years and have one daughter, a published author who I am so proud of.
I come to the Y twice a week and work out with my trainer, Mike Carrington, who is 67 years young. I met Mike when he approached me one day, asking if I wanted to change up my routine. That was 5 years ago, and now he has me doing an upper and lower body workout that includes weights, machines and stretching. I used to be a professional basketball player after college in Michigan, so I know a good workout! When I’m in Florida for the winter, the exercises I do there aren’t as thorough or challenging. It’s a lot of sitting and lifting one leg, lift the other. That kind of thing.
Mike and I talk baseball at the Y. He’s a Mets and I’m a Yankees fan. So, for this season, I’m happy. I’m not a talkative guy and would describe myself as kind of shy. But Mike and I have a good time. He retired last year and comes in just to train me. I’m lucky that way, I guess. He gets me talking and laughing and I enjoy my time with him. When I first began, like a lot of older folks, I didn’t want to ask for help figuring out all those complicated machines. Mike took notice of me doing the same old routine over and over. He changed things up for me and I look forward to seeing him. He gets me out of my shell.
I grew up in Michigan, worked in the diamond business in New York, settled in Mamaroneck and now split my time between Rye and Palm Beach. I belong to the Y in Florida too. I don’t mean to imply anything negative about that YMCA, but the Y in Rye is different. If I had to describe the Y here, I’d say it’s efficient and thorough; the people are very friendly and I feel comfortable. Mike treats me like all of his clients even though I may be the oldest one he’s ever had. He does what’s best for me. And I appreciate that.
Ted Cooper is the Rye YMCA’s oldest member. He comes to the Y twice a week for a workout with Mike Carrington, a Y personal trainer who officially retired in Oct. 2008, but who comes back exclusively to train Mr. Cooper, a friend, client and fellow baseball fan.
