Paul Critchlow wasn’t the only retiree who found retirement unfulfilling and boring. Joe Bartley, an 89-year-old war veteran who lives in England, was also unsatisfied with being retired—so he took out an ad in his local paper in the hopes he’d find a job!
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The ad reads, “Work wanted. Senior citizen 89 seeks employment in Paignton area. 20hrs+ per week. Still able to clean, light gardening, DIY and anything. I have references. Old soldier, airborne forces. Save me from dying of boredom!”
Bartley says after his wife died 2 years ago, he found himself to be very bored and lonely and hoped that a job would help! He had sold his house and moved into an apartment but says the apartment building is so large, it felt like living in solitary confinement.
Bartley also didn’t like the fact that he had to rely on the government to pay his rent when he was fully capable of doing it on his own. “I wanted [to work] at least 20 hours and then I can cover the rent. I get housing support, which is great, but I want to be my own man and pay my own way,” Bartley told The Guardian.
Like most things on the Internet, Bartley’s ad went viral, and he received numerous job offers after being in the media spotlight, but nothing has really stood out. When asked about how he feels with his new celebrity status, Bartley says he’s “Rather chuffed. The thing that has always kept me going is my sense of humour. I like a laugh—and I like a happy ending.” Don’t we all? Here’s hoping Bartley finds a job soon!