By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Photo/Bonnie Adams
Westborough – Each June, Dennis Fenton, a volunteer at the Westborough Senior Center, hosts a cookout for local seniors at his beautiful home on Ruggles Street. This year’s cookout, held on June 12, featured perfect weather, festively decorated tables set up in the shaded side yard and mouth-watering items cooked on the grill. There was also another special reason to celebrate – the 100th birthday of longtime Westborough resident Charles Fay.
Fenton noted that it was about five or six years ago when he came up with the idea to host a cookout for the seniors.
“I just thought it would be a nice idea to have them come here, enjoy sitting outside, eat some traditional foods hot off the grill and just relax with friends,” he added. “Most of these people live in apartments, so they don’t get to enjoy this type of event anymore.”
At the cookout, Fay sat at the head of a table as guests came up to offer hugs and congratulations on reaching his centennial birthday, which is actually July 1. A longtime resident of Westborough, he lived near Fenton’s Ruggles Street home for over 50 years with his late wife Ann, before they both moved to assisted living. Fay served in the U.S. Army in World War II in New Zealand for three years. Upon his return he worked as an accountant for many years.
“I am very happy to be here today,” he said. “Not everyone lives to 100!”
Guests included approximately 30 seniors and members of the Westborough Police Department. Representatives from the Board of Selectmen were also due to attend later in the day to present a citation of congratulations on behalf of the town.
