lifestyle that we all dream about. They are blessed with excellent health and have the financial freedom to live comfortably, travel and enjoy their recreational hobbies.

Both are 65 and they have been happily married for 45 years. They have three sons who were educated abroad. "One of the best things a parent can do for his child is to give him a solid education,'' they advised. The hard working couple sold their family business, Ray's Cycle , five years ago.

For a long time they were unable to take family vacations due to business responsibilities seven days a week. Mr. Madeiros was doing a lot of hands-on work in the cycle shop and Mrs. Madeiros was the bookkeeper.

Mr. Madeiros has a varied work background and has been successful at every endeavour. At age eight his father had taught him how to drive a truck and after school at age 14 he learned mechanics.

"I had goals and dreams from a very early age,'' he said. At age 17, Mr.

Madeiros was the youngest licensed mechanic on the Island and worked for Pearman Watlington.

He managed a garage for 15 years and then became extremely serious about his family's future.

"We had a lot of school fees back then and our sons' educations were a priority, as was retirement planning.'' Mr. Madeiros went to work in the insurance business for five years prior to opening his own business. Every year the insurance business provided him with a splendid family vacation. They traveled to many exotic places such as Aruba and Jamaica.

"Until five years ago, I had worked since I was a boy. When I was a young man, people my age would be sitting off on a wall, swinging their legs and throwing back a beer. I was always working and trying to achieve,'' he said.

Today the couple are reaping the rewards of years of financial planning and old-fashioned hard work. "The harder I worked, the luckier I became,'' he said with a laugh.

Mrs. Madeiros says she doesn't feel 65. "Age just creeps up on you. When you retire you can pace yourself and be spontaneous. It is wonderful! People are living longer and traveling more.'' She believes it is important to keep an eye on your health and to keep busy physically and mentally. "I enjoy cooking and sewing. I belong to a quilter's guild.

Mr. Madeiros describes himself as an outdoor sportsman. He has three favourite hobbies: fishing, gardening and flying.

The couple own a luxurious motor yacht kept at the Dockyard Marina, named, "Grand Finale'' . She is the `other woman' except she is cherished by the pair. She gets a lot of love and attention from her owners. Mr. Madeiros loves fishing for local wahoo and they enjoy family outings on the boat.

Mr. Madeiros wakes up each morning about 6:30 and walks three and a half miles daily, has breakfast, reads The Royal Gazette and checks the list of to dos on his desk.

"He is a terrific manager and has always been very organised,'' said Mrs.

Madeiros.

The most important elements of their lives since they have become older is enjoying family and friends, fishing and flying. They enjoy a busy social scene having informal dinners here and at their vacation home in Vermont.

Mr. Madeiros soars in a small plane which does not have an engine! That's right, it does not have an engine. The tiny plane does have all the normal plane instrumentations.

He belongs to a private pilot club at Sugarbush, Vermont where a "mamma plane'' takes him up about 3000 feet and releases him to soar the clouds.

He explained, "The object is to get high and stay high manoeuvring as long as possible without an engine and hopefully have a safe landing.'' This bubbly couple believe in living each day to the fullest and above all, enjoying it together.

Happy duo: Ray and Chris Madeiros, retired and living it up.

SENIORS SR