Better late than never: Joe Potenzano gets married for the first time at 93 to woman he met in 1959
PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY: Two New Jersey residents have shared a deep bond for more than six decades.
At the ages of 93 and 83, the two are preparing to tie the knot, marking a heartwarming milestone 64 years after they first met.
Joe Potenzano, 93, is taking the road of marriage for the first time, a decision reinforced by the loneliness that sometimes afflicts people his age.
Joe Potenzano began to feel lonely at 90
Potenzano candidly told FOX 5, "I began to feel that loneliness that only comes at 90 years old." His bride-to-be, Mary Elkind, 83 years old and widowed, will stand by him in this late step into matrimony.
Elkind says, "I had a couple of friends that said to me, ‘Are you crazy? Why are you getting married? At this stage, you’re getting married?’"
Potenzano, echoing the sentiments of many older people, admitted, "At my age, I wasn't sure if I was going to get shot down."
The remarkable story of the two dates back to 1959, when they met at the wedding of Potenzano's sister. On that occasion, Potenzano acted as best man, while Elkind took on the role of maid of honor.
Potenzano's recollection of their first meeting is modest, "She's a nice-looking girl... But I didn't know too much about her background at the time."
Joe Potenzano and Mary Elkind bonded at a family event
Their lives diverged when Potenzano joined the army and Elkind pursued a career as a ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.
Despite these separate paths, their bond remained, and Elkind explained, "I was always very close with the family, and he was always there."
Last year, at a family event, Potenzano plucked up the courage to invite the widow for a cup of coffee.
With their wedding scheduled for October, both families are eagerly preparing for the joyful event.
Potenzano put it straight, "I say this unashamedly. I fell in love with her, and she told me she fell in love with me. What else do you want?"
Joe Potenzano and Mary Elkind's story is a testament to the enduring power of love and proves that it can find its way into people's lives at any age.
