Oldest Floor Guard in History Celebrates his 81st Birthday

Sept. 11, 2007 - PRLog -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oldest Floor Guard in History Celebrates his 81st Birthday
Robert Dunleavy, a Floor-guard at United Skates of America celebrates his 81st birthday on September 24th
When Robert Dunleavy, now 81, first started on skates sixty nine years ago, times were much different.  When he used to walk up to his local roller skating rink, Springfield Roller Rink in Springfield Gardens, Queens, he would hear the sound of organ music coming from inside the thick concrete walls.  Today, as he walks up to the doors of United Skates in Seaford, Long Island, organ music most certainly cannot be heard, but he can hear the music of today pulsating from inside the building.  
Dunleavy has one great passion in life: roller-skating, and he has continued that passion on into his eighties.  Dunleavy is still quicker than many on four wheels, and attributes much of that to his constant involvement with the sport.  He even often jokes that he can skate better than he can walk.  He has floor-guarded at roller skating rinks across the Island, being responsible for the safety of skaters at rinks such as Walter, Levittown, Pine Hollow, and Bayshore Roller Rink.  He has seen these rinks come and go, and with the demise of Bayshore Roller Rink, over six years ago, he found himself a new place to call home: United Skates of America.  When asked what he likes best about his job, Dunleavy always has the same answer, “the people I work with”.  In a job position that is predominantly composed of teenagers and young twenty-somethings Dunleavy fits right in, and can always bring smiles to the faces of his young co-workers.  The teens say that they can only hope to be in as great shape as Dunleavy when they turn 81.  
In an age of video games and computers Dunleavy wants to encourage children to get out of the house and participate in a fun, physical activity.  He attributes his good physical condition to the fact that he maintains an active lifestyle.  He also knows the value of giving kids something constructive to do to avoid having them make other destructive decisions.    “Getting children involved in something that they enjoy, such as skating, not only keeps them active, but also keeps them off the streets and keeps them from getting in trouble.  I have seen many children saved from doing bad things… that they would have otherwise done if they had not been able to go to their local skating rink”.  
Dunleavy has come to embrace the skating community and every Monday night he can be found patrolling the skate floor for the regular Adult Night crowd.  Many “true” skaters show up on Mondays and have been watching him guard the floors of skating rinks for years.  When asked why he loves his Adult night session so much, he states, “People of all ages get together and enjoy the same passion:  roller-skating”.  Suddenly the DJ announces that two speed skating songs are up next, Dunleavy gracefully glides onto the floor and takes off with the other skaters, many half his age, and not only keeps up, but skates on by most of them.  Onlookers can just fantasize that they will be able to do be so lucky when they turn the young age of 81.  
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On Monday September 24, 2007, Robert Dunleavy, aka Bob, will be celebrating his 81st birthday during his favorite session, Adult Night, come down and join in on the celebration at 8pm.  For more information visit us on the web at www.unitedskates.com.  To schedule an interview, or to request photos of Robert Dunleavy, please call Karen Palermo,
Sales Manager, United Skates of America at 516-795-5474, ext 13.

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United Skates of America is the largest chain of roller skating rinks in the United States.  They have locations all over the country, to find the one nearest you, visit www.unitedskates.com

Website: www.unitedskates.com