Saturday, July 25, 1998
Nonagenerian has 73 years in workforce
By Malinda Ruble
Staff Writer
FOSTORIA - After 73 years in the workforce, Barney Groves, at age 94, has decided it's time to retire.
Groves was surprised with a special retirement party Friday morning at Countyline Machine in Fostoria.
''I still have another week to work yet before I retire. I didn't think they were going to have it until next week,'' he said.
Groves began with Countyline Machine in 1970 as a machinist. Prior to that, he worked for 45 years at the Carbon.
When asked why he continued to work so long, Groves responded, ''There's nothing else to do.''
Groves said he has enjoyed his time at Countyline Machine.
''It's a pleasure working with the fellas out here. It's nice to have a gang where if one of them needs some help, there's not one of them that won't give you a hand,'' he said.
However, due to his health, Groves decided it was time to finally retire.
''My health is not too good and I've got arthritis pretty bad so I thought I better quit. But I'm going to miss working quite a bit,'' he said.
The rural Fostoria resident said he doesn't have any big plans for his retirement.
''We don't have any trips planned. We might take a little trip somewhere. We have a lot of friends in Florida so we might take a wintertime trip,'' he said. ''And I've got woodworking tools at home and I will probably do a little of that.''
In his spare time, Groves said he and his wife, Mamie, could always spend time with family.
''I've got two children - one's 68 and the other's 70 now. I've got three or four great-great-grandchildren and I don't know how many grandchildren there are, but there are quite a few,'' he said.
But until Aug. 1, Groves will continue to work every day and love every minute.