1stCoC Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 As many of you know an irongame icon Joe Rollino 104 year old ex boxer and Coney Island strongman was killed in a car accident yesterday. He was a man of steel, lived clean, never took more than an asprin and lived what "strong is". The first time I met him he was surrounded by adoring younger strongmen. I didn't know who he was but I figured "he must be somebody". He waited for 45 minutes for a simple bowl of soup and angered as everyone else was he thanked the waiter for the soup. I watched him as he picked up his spoon, frowned a bit and took his thumb and middle finger to straighten the bent soup spoon. I was blown away. When he turned I secretly tried the same thing and failed miserably.For a moment our eyes caught each others and he instantly pointed his finger at me and said "I remember your eyes",... "I saw you at the 1968 Senior National weightlifting meet". I was at a loss how could a man see me at 56 and still remember me from age 18. We became instant friends and each year I saw him at the Old Time Strongman dinner. He promised me a quarter he bent at age 95 and the very next year he walked up to me with it fulfilling his promise. I have held that quarter tight today. We lost a great one....God rest him. Richard Sorin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkhardmacht Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 He was obviously a great man! May he rest in peace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntca Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Mr. Richard, awesome story. Seems the world lost a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with is family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andurniat Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 A legend will be missed. The angels of strength watching over us just got stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djukac Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 What a great man.Rest in peace Joe!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilGrip Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I hope someone does him justice in print, the history and knowledge of such a man should be immortalized for posterity. My prayers for all concerned. Rest in peace Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightyjoe Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sad day indeed. Huge loss for sure. Joe had tons of oldtime strength knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcpower66 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry for your loss Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmatt Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 RIP JOE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florian Kellersmann Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I met the great Joe Rollino at the AOBS dinner in 2005, still have the picture of us. What a great man. Thanks for sharing this inspiring Story, Richard. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joefrey Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Thanks for sharing this nice story Richard. RIP Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Thanks, Richard. And I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelby Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 ahh, that's sad. i was just reading about him. i have a muscle book and he is in it. this is sad. i can only dream of meeting people like you and him. sorry for your loss, and ours. may he find peace. did you ever get to straighten a spoon with middle finger and thumb.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Richard, I met him and had my pic taken with him at the AOBS and I remember what a spry man he was! I am saddened to hear of his death, because I honestly believe he would have lived a lot longer than 104. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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