A Game of Pool for the Senior Set

For 95-year-old Ralph DiNapoli, a game of pool is much more than a hobby. It's his daily constitutional.

Five days a week, you'll find DiNapoli lining up shots on the felt table at the Department of Elder Affairs. Most days, he has company. On a recent visit he was joined by Don Barnard, Nick Fiorentino, and Charlie Mazzei. Playing a round of 8-ball, teammates DiNapoli and Mazzei were hitting the highs, and game after game DiNapoli finished off the competition with a dazzling display of skill.

Throughout the duration of the two-hour long games, players chat, take a rest between shots, and participate in a fair amount of good-natured ribbing. Don Barnard boasted how at 76 he was the baby of the group, until his status was usurped by 74-year-old Nick Fiorentino, who also happens to be the part-time van driver for Elder Affairs. 

While there was a definite absence of the female persuasion at the table, it's not for lack of trying. "We ask the ladies if they'd like to join us but they always say no," Barnard said.

After DiNapoli banked a shot to win yet another game, he explained how he got so good. It turns out that he had a miniture pool table as a child growing up in East Boston. "My family would all play together," he said.

The pool table the fellas play on has seen better days. The table, donated by Bertha Tuerck more than 16 years ago, is no longer level. The beautifully carved legs are looking a little wobbly and the felt is a little fuzzy. The players would welcome a new table (donations are always accepted) and would love to put it to good use.