He may be 75, but not even getting a year older can’t stop Tony Mandravelis from hitting the Y racquetball courts.  Tony started going to the Y on Temple Street in 1944 at the age of 7, participating in a variety of events including basketball, ping pong, pool tournaments, and boxing.  He started playing in the Church Basketball League in 1950, and was part of the championship team in 1951.

When the Prospect Street location opened, Tony’s favorite sport became handball and then racquetball, which he continues to play almost every day at the Merrimack branch. Over the years, he has knee surgeries, but even that didn’t stop him from visiting the Y, spending his time exercising in the pool until he was ready to get out on the court once again.

Tony says that the Y is a big part of his life, and he looks forward to coming every day, not just for the exercise, but for the friendships camaraderie, and because it makes him feel good.