By Dana Christianson
“I know I have pretty legs,” says a smiling 91-year-old Bob Belisle, sitting comfortably in shorts and a T-shirt as he awaits the start of his land fitness class at the National Capital YMCA-YWCA.
“Do you find them sexy?” he laughs.
For the past 20 years those sexy legs have carried Belisle, now the oldest active member at the Argyle Street facility, through the revolving doors and up the stairs to the land and aqua fitness classes he participates in up to five times each week.
“He is the strongest, gentlest, most straightforward, kind, considerate and charming man,” says Cecile McQuabbie, who has known Belisle for the entire 13 years she’s worked at the front desk.
“I can’t think of anything better to describe him than the true meaning of a gentleman in all its contexts.”
Belisle first made his way to the YMCA on Feb. 1, 1983 and physical activity has become an integral, if not lifesaving, aspect of his daily routine ever since.
Belisle underwent major surgery in 1993 after discovering he had colon cancer. The doctor told him he should be thankful that, at 80, he had the body of a 60-year-old.
“The YMCA contributed enormously to why I could take that operation,” says Belisle, who still looks and acts as though he isn’t a day over 70.
Fitness has not always been as important to Belisle’s life. He grew up in Montreal and worked in the textile business until moving to Ottawa in 1971, where he was employed with the government’s Income Tax Department. He says he didn’t really begin exercising regularly until after retiring from government.
These days, when Belisle is not working out at the gym, he reads or relaxes to the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
Belisle’s healthy living regime recently received an added style boost courtesy of Rideau Place, his new retirement home that chauffeurs him in a limousine to his 45-minute workouts.
But the presence that Belisle brings to the YMCA is eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by members and staff whether or not he arrives in such fine form.
Aside from admiration for Belisle’s kindness and his resilience to the medical problems he’s encountered, the YMCA staff value Belisle’s remarkable wit and sense of humour.
“His mind is as sharp as a tack,” says McQuabbie.
Jan Quinn, supervisor of the group fitness program, calls Belisle the “class clown,” but says the amount of knowledge he possesses is phenomenal.
“He is extremely well read. He could talk to you about anything and when I say talk, I mean he really knows his stuff,” she says.
“He is a marvellous personality and he is so dedicated to fitness.”
Belisle says he will maintain his active lifestyle for as long as possible, not stopping until his body tells him to. But that time has obviously not come yet.