A 92-year-old man won over the hearts of the internet after a local news expose went viral on social media highlighting the indefatigable nonagenarian who got bored after his second retirement and became the beloved centerpiece of his local community.
For context, North Carolinian Gilbert Martin retired at the age of 74 from the natural gas industry, but quickly found work as a greeter at a big box store for another twelve years. Thinking he might retire at the age of 86, he again rediscovered that he needed more purpose in his life, as well as a community that he could help. That realization ultimately landed him at Chick-Fil-A and has helped entrench himself as a community staple for the most recent six-year stint.
Writing on X, commentator Matt Van Swol summarized the incredible man’s journey. “A 92-year-old North Carolina man got so bored 2 months into retirement that he applied to work at Chick-fil-A…his smile, kindness, and passion for Jesus became so contagious that when he got sick and missed 3 days of work, an ENTIRE TOWN began asking where he was,” Van Swol wrote.
“His name is Gilbert Martin. Everybody calls him “Mr. Gil.” Mr. Gil is 92 years old, and works at the Chick-fil-A on Oleander Drive in Wilmington, NC. He spent decades working in the natural gas industry and when he retired, he greeted people at Sam’s Club for 12 MORE years, until they eliminated his position,” he went on.
“Most people would call that a sign to finally rest, but not Mr. Gil! Two months into retirement, he got bored… so he walked into Chick-fil-A and put in an application. He was 86 years old at the time. He’s been there ever since. Not one or two shifts a week either. Monday through Friday. He says the full schedule gives him more chances to be there for people who need him,” he continued.
“His official job is dining host. Clean tables. Clean floors. But Mr Gil doesn’t see it that way… as he describes it, his real job is: ‘I get a lot of people that are coming in, just been to the doctor, and got bad news… I’m able to be an encourager; the Lord gave me that,’” he went on.
“A 92-year-old man who could be resting at home… chooses to stand in a dining room five days a week… so strangers on the worst day of their lives don’t have to be alone. And Wilmington noticed. When Mr. Gil caught a cold and missed a couple of days, the owner said he was FLOODED with HUNDREDS of customers who were panicked about him,” the summary added.
“Mr. Gil has zero plans to retire. He says if you ever see him working, come say hi. ‘I don’t know what 92 is supposed to feel like, but I feel great. Serving others has always brought me joy because I believe that a smile and a kind word can make someone’s day a little brighter,’ he added, before finishing: “We need more of this in the world!!!!”
Watch local news coverage converging on the Wilmington, North Carolina fast food restaurant below:
Reacting under the original post, commentators flooded the post with heartwarming affection. “MR. Gill thank you for being a cherished believer, a man of integrity, who just brighten my day! Sir you are a prime example of the world I choose to live in! Your story has just given me, and MILLIONS of others what LOVE THE LORD HAS FOR US ALL! God bless you!” one user wrote.
“What an inspiration Mr Gil is! That’s true spirit that must have a great deal to do with his love of God and his Faith! This is what Christianity means and does for so many people that love and have been saved by Jesus!” wrote another.
“I love this and as a 73 year old myself, I already recognize the importance of staying engaged and active in many different ways. I hope I can follow in the footsteps of this wonderful 92 yr old man. He is inspirational!” someone else added.
“It’s what keeps him going at his age! My 87 yr old mother is the same way. Always ‘doing’ as she’d say. She recently knocked out a wall in her home and built herself a big walk-in closet, and it looked professionally built. So glad my parents taught us kids to be the same way!” a fourth commentator posted.
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video