"I don't want to stop": 97-year-old veteran still hard at work
Last updated on: 06 May,2019 04:51 pm
"I don’t take any breaks," Benny Ficeto said.
EDISON (Web Desk) – Benny Ficeto, 97 year old man, has been working different jobs since 80s when he retired as he loves having a hard working day.
Two days a week, he clocks for a four hour shift as a bag boy at the local Stop & Shop. Benny used to be warehouse supervisor for a cosmetics company.
He said his first job was shining shoes at around 7. After that, he went to barber school before joining the military. Benny served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a gunner on a B-25 Mitchell bomber, flying mostly over northern Africa and Italy.
Today, his Italian casualties are far less consequential, but he still approaches his job with that same tireless, warrior-like, determination. For example, Benny said he’d sooner stack a honeydew on white bread than loaf around on the job.
"I don’t take any breaks," he said.
Mike Moss, the assistant manager said if he tells Benny to take a break, he’ll yell at him. "I don’t want to stop. Don’t tell me how to work. See the light on, that’s where I’m going," Benny said.
He said, ‘Why would I take a break when I only get to work four hours?’ He actually put it that way – I only get to work four hours – as if bagging groceries was some kind of privilege bestowed upon him.
"I get a feeling that I did something good. You can’t just stand around, like an idiot. You have to have a reason to keep alive," he said.
For Benny, that reason is to go out and earn – not just a paycheck – but a purpose. He said you need to contribute at all times. And avoid breaks at all costs.