Who among us would turn down the chance to retire at age 46?
A good guess would have most of us favouring that idea, yet find it almost impossible to make it happen.
Yet, that’s what Parksville resident Joe Mollin is doing this month.
Mollin is retiring from the workforce, after spending the last year-and-a-half at the Parksville Home Hardware. He also worked for years at the Dairy Queen and local A&W restaurants.
From all accounts from staff at Home Hardware, it has been a pleasure having Joe around for the last little while — and they gathered at the store Thursday to wish him a grand farewell.
Joe Molin is developmentally disabled, with Down’s Syndrome.
Yet, he has worked hard in the community — and made a strong impression on the people he has worked with.
“He was always here on Thursdays, helping unload the truck,” said Home Hardware driver Rob Stillings from Red Deer, Alberta.
Stillings said he enjoyed working with Joe and will miss their time on delivery day.
Staff at Home Hardware presented Joe with a glass mug, Tim Horton’s card and a retirement cake, to recognize his service.
Due to failing health, Joe will now retire from working, said his care aid, and himself said he plans on relaxing and hanging out — and taking in more curling and bowling, his favourite pastimes —now that his work time is done.