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“It took about a month to adjust to living here,’’ said 88-year-old Siano, who has been a resident of Somers Manor for about a year. “I figured nothing went wrong in a month, so it must not be bad. It’s definitely better than I thought.”
Recreation director Richard Schaeffer said Siano has become a leader among his peers. “He has made some very good friends,’’ Schaeffer said. “At a place like this, women outnumber men almost 20-to-1. He’s a real man’s man, and all the men look up to him. He encourages others to come to a lot of our activities.”
Siano served for about 2 ½ years in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army’s aircraft artillery. He served in the Pacific, where he shot at enemy aircraft. “I was drafted,’’ Siano said. “I really didn’t want to join. I had a good time, got along with the guys. I didn’t enjoy shooting at the enemy, but it was my job. It was something I had to do.”
When Siano returned home from the war, he began a plumbing career that serviced primarily his hometown of Chappaqua. He retired in 2003. “I loved it,’’ he said. “It was something new all the time. I missed work when I had to retire.”
Siano was also an avid golfer. He was a caddy at Winged Foot as a teenager, and played almost his entire adult life. “I belonged to Tamarack (in Greenwich) and played twice a week,’’ he said. “I’d play once during the week and on weekends. That’s one of the things that I do miss.”
His wife, Sally Ann, and sons Steven and Craig, a Realtor in Chappaqua, are frequent visitors to Somers Manor. He loves their company, and that of the other residents.
“I enjoy it here very much,’’ Siano said. “There’s always something to do. People are always hesitant to change. I haven’t thought about missing anything, really. I have everything I need right here, and more.”
