John ‘Papa’ Maloney | 89 | President, Maloney Meat Co.
Why not retire? My life is my business. My business is my life. I love my business, my customers and my community. It gives me great satisfaction to bring the best quality meats to my customers. Maloney Meat Co. is generational. The children and grandchildren of my original customers are my customers today. We’ve been here in South Gate for more than 25 years; before that we were in Huntington Park. Working makes me thrive and keeps me alive.
Does your wife want you to retire? No, she knows that this is my life and that it makes me happy.
What’s the best part of working past 80?
It keeps me focused and connected to the world. I wake up every day and know I have to oversee ordering products, finding out what’s selling and how our inventory is moving. I love to chat with my customers.
The worst? I have to pace myself. My wife and I realize neither of us has the strength we did at 40 or 50 years of age.
Are you up to date on technology My family keeps me up to date on technology. We have a Maloney Meat Co. website and Facebook page with a growing list of followers. We use videos to showcase our products on a giant in-store screen. My wife is our resident computer tech and she programs our entire inventory. Our daughter, Maryann, helps with technology, too.
What advice would you give to people who want to work well past 65? Do it! It keeps you young; keeps your mind alert and keeps you active and it makes life interesting.
What is the best advice you ever got? An old gentleman who was retired told me to the key to success is to keep on working.
What’s the secret to staying healthy and active?
Love what you’re doing, eat well, keep active and get your rest. And, I am blessed to have a loving family.
Do you work as much as you used to in your 40s and 50s? No, my body is unable to do the physical work I once did. Now, I use my mind to explore new products, ways to market them and to improve our business. Sure, I used to unload the trucks, but I don’t do that today.
