Ann’s Choice Residents Discover Shared Olympic Honor as 1996 Torch Bearers

With the Olympic Games set to begin this weekend, two residents at Ann’s Choice, an Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are reflecting on their own unforgettable connection to Olympic history.

The residents recently discovered they share a rare and meaningful distinction: both were selected as Olympic torch bearers for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta and attended the Games.

Norman Denbigh recently met fellow resident Andre Brillaud, and the two quickly hit it off. During a visit to Andre’s apartment, Norman noticed a plaque on the wall commemorating Andre’s role as a 1996 Olympic torch bearer. The moment revealed an unexpected connection—Denbigh himself had carried the torch for the same Olympic Games.

Denbigh carried the Olympic torch through New Jersey while living in Flemington at the time. A U.S. Navy veteran, automobile dealership owner, avid runner, and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was selected as a torch bearer in recognition of his strong community involvement and service to his country. “I couldn’t have been prouder bearing the torch,” Denbigh said.

Brillaud, a retired oncologist and former vice president at Bristol Myers, was a resident of Wilmington, North Carolina, when he was selected to carry the Olympic torch in Atlanta, Georgia. A lifelong champion of service, he devoted his professional career and personal time to improving the lives of others through leadership with the Salvation Army and numerous community organizations. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I was surprised my feet touched the ground. I was so proud.”

Although their torch-bearing journeys took place in different states, Denbigh and Brillaud’s shared Olympic experience has created a meaningful connection at Ann’s Choice. Today, they are enjoying life on campus, where engaging activities, new friendships, and a strong sense of community make every day rewarding.

Ann’s Choice offers a vibrant retirement lifestyle with stylish residences, exceptional amenities, and countless opportunities to connect, stay active, and pursue personal interests. To learn more, visit AnnsChoice.com.