Ed Gill of Birmingham, Ala., is 97 years old and plays APA League five nights a week. Ed started playing pool on the weekends with his father in-law in the 1940’s when he was in his early 20s. “There was no organization for pool then,” Ed said. “We just played until we were tired.”
During World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 4 years as a radio airman, and flew both dive bombers and patrol bombers. Ed then spent 30 years as a traffic controller before retiring.
Ed joined APA after his wife passed away in 2013. His daughter, Lisa, who joined APA in 2013, suggested he come play with her and her husband. After a 60-year hiatus of playing pool, Ed decided to take her up on the offer and one night a week quickly turned into five.
Ed’s favorite thing about playing in the APA is the people; the companionships you make with so many. He said the positive influence APA has made in his life is life. “I know it’s unusual for a 97-year-old to be playing pool several nights a week, but I don’t think of myself as old,” Ed said. “Now don’t get me wrong, I give all praise to the Lord, but it has given me something to aim for each day, ya know. I look forward to seeing everyone each night.”
Ed says this is where he needs to be and APA has made him more of a people person. His advice to anyone just getting started playing pool is, “Don’t take it so serious. Have fun! These kids get so worked up when they lose. I choose to be happy each day; I can’t remember the last time I was mad.”
Birmingham APA League Operators Michael & Amber Glass, as well as members of the League had nothing but positive things to say about the man they lovingly refer to as Mr. Ed. “I feel like his positive attitude and true zest for life are why so many people in our League are drawn to him, love and admire him,” Amber said. “He is always smiling, always kind! We are honored to have him as a member of our Birmingham APA League. Honestly, I don’t think anyone you asked would disagree!”
Don’t take it so serious. Have fun! These kids get so worked up when they lose. I choose to be happy each day; I can’t remember the last time I was mad.
