John Dellavilla: Athlete of the Week

Congrats to a repeat Athlete of the Week – John Dellavilla!

John competed in the Empire State Senior Games in August 2021 at Cortland, NY. Competing at 82 years old in the 80-84 yr. old division of events, John won 3 silver medals for the 50 meter, the 100 meter, and the shot put. 

John is from the Hungry Hill section of Schenectady. He attended school at C.B.A. and Mount Pleasant in the 1950s where he played football, ran track, and wrestled. At Mount Pleasant he played two years of football for Coach Larry Mulvaney. 

John took night classes in engineering for a year at Hudson Valley Community College and then did a tour in the military while attending a mason trade school at night for four years, turning masonry into a lifelong career. 

After a 60-year hiatus, at 79-years-old, John started to compete in the New York and Vermont Senior Games. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, this was his last year competing. Every event John has entered he has won a medal in, and he has given them all to his children and grandchildren. 

In 2018, he earned a bronze medal at the Vermont Senior Games; a gold in the 50 meter and silver in the hammer at the Empire State Senior Games.  In 2019, he earned a gold in the 50 meter and a silver in the hammer throw at the Vermont Senior Games; a gold in the 50 meter and a silver in the shot put and hammer throw in the Empire State Senior Games. In 2021, he earned a gold in the 50 meter, silver in the long jump, shot put, and 100 meter at the Vermont Senior Games; a silver in the 50 meter, the 100 meter, and shot put in the Empire State Senior Games.