Paying Homage to Bruno Gaspari-Mr. Zumba

I first saw Bruno in the parking lot around 2005. He resembled my stepfather, Eddie Mayo, a baseball hero whose crowning glory was being the world's most valuable player for the Detroit Tigers in 1945.

Bruno looked like Eddie. He had an unusual confidence about him, and was a real no-nonsense person, filled with the vigor of life that is reserved for some people as they age.

Bruno and I started conversing on the elliptical machine. I was impressed with his stamina, his keen intelligence, he is listening skills, and his ability to go on, despite losing his wife to cancer.

I don't know how it happened, but I started hanging out with Bruno and his friend Fran. We would meet at the gym, and promptly at 8 AM, we would leave to continue our conversation at Panera Bread, about a mile away. But Bruno always lagged behind because he had to make the rounds. He had so many fans at the YMCA, and it was hard for him to break loose from conversation to join us.

Eventually, he would show up, and order his coffee black. The three of us would sit down for about an hour or so, discussing a wide variety of topics. I was always amazed that Bruno seemed above the usual hazards of aging. He was an exercise fanatic, and avid reader, and from his engineering background at Hughes, possessed a keen mind as well as a sharp wit.

And then there was Zumba. If Zumba could be turned into a congregation, Bruno would have been its pastor. I really think he believed Zumba could solve any problem. He would constantly describe the joy of his classes, and the energy he gained from this type of exercise.

Upon occasion, I would try to get him into swimming, but Bruno could not be deterred. Zumba was his thing, period, end of story. I'm sure Zumba contributed to his longevity, along with eating well and having a good attitude.

We will miss you Mr. Zumba, our own Jack LaLanne , and the mayor of the Westchester YMCA.