Sometimes life throws you curves and sometimes it just is grand because of the people you meet in this business...and i met the googley eye old time realtor yesterday with that RI style. He called me from a mailing I did and asked me to come out and give him a market appraisal on his house. He said he was old and needs to move along but not where the 'fire' is yet! I chuckled. 
So yesterday was the day to meet him in his home...he was all of 88 years old & still in his bathrobe & slippers at 2 pm yet he was full of vim and vigor in spirit and words...what his house was full of was another matter. As he said, 'excuse the mess I'm in the process of categorizing and organizing my writing material' ...well it was everywhere is an understatement.
He said let me take you around first to see the house (which was dated) and through the paths of clutter into the 3 small bedrooms, 2 baths (one never used it appears) and organized bins to the max! he shuffled.
He had been a realtor, owned his own company, developed prime land close to the ocean (30 acres!), a local Italian historian of Federal Hill in Providence and owner of copyrighted paintings of local venues which he still had thousands of lithographs that were wonderful of the rich historical RI landscape. He was organizing them to give to the Historical Society which wanted his work. He still writes for an Italian newspaper & extremely well I might add (read a couple of his recent articles about monsignors).
I told him I was going to google him & he said i better not because i might find something i didn't like and i wouldn't come back! Oh, I said I'll come back no matter what. There is more RI history surrounding this man then anyone I have ever met recently.
I had to disappoint this wonderful man with what he might get for the home if it EVER was cleaned out (i didn't see that happening for a bit)...it wasn't worth what he hoped. He knew I knew my business...he would not sell then at least not right now. But he needs to sell and get into assisted living at this point. His health is suffering but he is still on the roads driving. He showed me a picture of his wife and said she was the most beautiful rose ever and she's been dead for many years. Family is not around much but checks on him he says and they seem to understand that he will do what he wants to do. But sometimes people need to be pushed a bit more to move them to safer places in life.
I will check on him every couple of weeks...he made me laugh with his great wit and the iconic stories he told me will draw me back for more...like he didn't know they would! He is the history of our local life and what was - who wants to lose those memories. I felt like a sponge soaking up his shared experiences. This real estate profession allows you such access into people's lives, memories and experiences- it's amazing. I was so lucky today to be doing my job and meeting this man.
I guess there was an old song about a googley eye guy (he asked me if i knew it but i don't) but it's how I'll remember him as a person and realtor RI style...he has his 89th birthday this weekend and hopefully many more will follow so I can return to see him. Thank you Joe for a wonderful afternoon in real estate.
This blog © and its contents is original to Ginny Lacey Gorman
Ginny L. Gorman a purveyor of Fine Waterfront RI Real Estate
Specializing in waterfront, ocean front, vacation, coastal and luxury homes for sale in North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Jamestown, Charlestown, East Greenwich, Exeter, West Greenwich, Westerly RI and beyond ... I sell dreams! because there is no place like home...the RI Realtor in the Sparkly Red Shoes.
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cell: 401.529.7849 office: 401.884.4100 ext.268 Ginny Lacey Gorman, Realtor
