‘This keeps me going’: Man, 81, continues to clear snow off sidewalks for his neighbors

LAKEWOOD, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - An 81-year-old Ohio man has been clearing snow from neighborhood sidewalks for over 20 years, and he says he has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Jimmy Sinatra told WOIO that he has always liked the snow, so when he bought his Lakewood-area home in 1995, he started using his small snowblower to clear a few nearby sidewalks.

Now, Sinatra clears 34 sidewalks from the corner of Woodward Avenue and Hillard Road up to Delaware Avenue.

He refuses to accept cash donations, saying he simply likes helping his neighbors.

“I enjoy it! I’ve always liked snow and helping people,” he said.

To this day, his favorite “thank you” is when neighbors thank him with a home-cooked meal on the holidays.

Colin McKay lives just across the street from Sinatra and says he is one special neighbor.

“It’s wonderful. It’s incredible that he gets out there and is enjoying the cold weather. Great to have him as a neighbor, to know that he’s looking out for us,” McKay said.

At 81 years old, Sinatra does suffer from a few health problems, but he says when the snow falls over the next few days, he won’t let that slow him down.

“This keeps me going. I have something to look forward to,” Sinatra said. “I’m 81, I don’t want to sit in a rocking chair for the next few years, I want to keep busy!”

He said the biggest snowfall he’s cleared was on Valentine’s Day 2014, when the snow came up to his knees.

When there’s no snow on the ground, Sinatra likes to keep active doing yard work for himself and the church.

“You’re only as old as you feel!” Sinatra said.

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