Cape Freeholders Honor 2011 Outstanding Seniors

Freeholder Gerald Thornton and the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored Daniel Murray of Cape May Court House and Elsie C. Shearer of Ocean City for being selected the 2011 Cape May County Outstanding Seniors of the Year at the Senior Jamboree on May 5, 2011 at the Avalon Community Center.
The Senior Jamboree is an annual event hosted by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Aging to celebrate Cape May County’s senior citizens during May – Older Americans Month. The theme of this year’s Senior Jamboree was “Hooray for Hollywood.”
Daniel Murray was named “Male” Senior of the Year. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1933, Dan retired from Bell Laboratories, where he worked as a Shift Supervisor for Building Operations. Dan and his wife Helen reside in Cape May County where he volunteers for many organizations.
Dan volunteers at Cape Regional Medical Center, Our Lady of Angels Church and is very active with the Knights of Columbus. Also, Dan has volunteered many hours building ramps for handicapped residents, making it possible for them to get in and out of their homes. Additionally, Dan teaches a Safe Boating Class for the United States Coast Guard and volunteers as an usher along with his wife Helen at the Performing Arts Center in Middle Township.
Freeholder Thornton said, “Daniel Murray is a role model for giving back to the community. His friends call him an all around good and giving man. He is always there when he is needed and gives his time and talents in a pleasant manner – a joy to all he comes in contact with.”
Elsie C. Shearer (94) of Ocean City was honored as “Female” Senior of the Year. Elsie was born in Philadelphia in 1917 and learned to play the piano at the age of four. She was an accompanist to the choir and also played a pipe organ at church. Elsie married Lewis A. Shearer in 1941 and in 1958 they bought a home in Ocean City where Elsie still resides. Both were talented musicians and entertained for many years.
Elsie attends the Upper Township Senior Center where she leads the exercise program, plays the piano and assists with various games. Elsie learns crafts and other activities and then shares her knowledge by teaching others in the community. Also, Elsie donates afghans to area nursing homes and the VA hospital.
Freeholder Thornton said, “Elsie is always willing to share her talents with others and has been a great resource for all of us in Cape May County”.
At the jamboree, a free event for all Cape May County senior residents age sixty or over, there was live entertainment, dancing and lunch served to everyone by local high school students.