HOLLAND — “I don’t want to stay home and look at the four walls.”
So, 96-year-old Edward Prabucki doesn’t do that. Where his family is, that’s where he can be found. We caught up with him this week at the Holland High School track watching his grandson.
“I love it, ‘cuz like, he’s there for me. He’s 96 and he’s still going to track meets, ya' know? He’s not letting his physical limitations stop him,” says Bobby Adams, a junior on the Alden High School track team.
Bobby runs the 800 meter race and the 4 X 800 meter relay.
“You can recognize him from the hair he got,” observed Ed.
At this meet, Bobby had his hair swept back in a "man bun".
One of his granddaughters refers to him as “Fast Eddie” because years ago, he was a pretty fast runner himself, as a member of the Burgard High School cross country team in the late 30’s and early 40’s.
“I never was behind or something. First five, all the time. And I was satisfied. I was satisfied. I loved it. Let’s put it that way, I loved it," says Ed as he flipped through pages of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings.
During our visit at his West Seneca home, Ed pointing out old articles and photos from the Am-Pol Eagle and Courier-Express.
“We used to go running around Humboldt Park, all over around Humboldt Park. Couple times later on we’d run all the way from Humboldt Park to Delaware Park down Humbold Parkway and came back. That’s how we done it.”
Aside from telling stories, Ed’s known for his devotion to his family. His family includes eight children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. And for decades if there was a school play… or a game… or a track meet you can bet on Ed being there.
And even though there’s an 80-year age difference between Ed and some of his grandchildren, there is no generation gap.
“He just talks on their level and there’s no friction whatsoever,” says daughter, Karin Adams.
Now, Ed is not as fast as he once was. He mostly gets around with a walker or cane. And he gave up driving years ago. Family members have to transport Ed to all these events, and they do so they can share some more time and a few more laughs with “Fast Eddie”.
“That’s why I like to come to these meets because that’s where I have my fun.”