PORT CLINTON – Before any of the other older adults arrive at the Ed Griswold Senior Center in Genoa, Robert “RJ” Doninguez is there, getting things ready. After they leave, he sticks around to help clean up. Outside of senior center hours, Doninguez helps others anyway he can, without thought of return.
Doninguez was honored as one of the 2026 Ottawa County 15 over 60 Senior Hall of Fame recipients during an awards ceremony at the Senior Day & Resource Fair hosted by Ottawa County Senior Resources at the Camp Perry Clubhouse on Sept. 2. The ceremony honored 15 extraordinary adults who impact their community.
The award recipients were Kenn Kaufman, Patricia “Pattie” Haley, Jane Taylor, Gregory “Greg” Sanderson, Ron Ossovicki, Robert S. Boytim, Sarah “Sally” Stuckey, Kim Sedlak, Linda Bronowski, Burt Klapp, Sue Gribble, Eithel Drum, Jodi Regal, Barbara “Barb” Clemons, and Dominguez.
Doninguez’s service comes in quiet moments. He regularly mows a friend’s lawn, and he helped a recently widowed senior learn how to pump gas. He simply sees a need and fills it, ensuring those around him are not forgotten and alone…