When we think of Muhammad Ali, we tend to think about someone who floats like a butterfly. Or, we think about the boxer with the feisty attitude. (Ali was once flying first class and was told by the stewardess that he needed to buckle up, just before the plane took off. “Superman don’t need no seat belt!” was his response. She, though, had a response of her own. “Oh, really! Well, Superman don’t need no airplane, either! Now, buckle up.”)
 
There’s another side to the Heavyweight Champion of the World. It was Ali who noted, “Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth.”  
 
One of those who serves others is E. Lee Allen, named Volunteer of the Year in 2010 at the Pittsford YMCA (111 Jefferson Road). Before retirement, Lee worked in the Apollo space program and with military contract companies, monitoring and developing top secret-systems.
 
Upon retirement, Lee became an entrepreneur. He’s sold one business and now is now running another that develops electronic devices.
 
Born in Louisiana and having lived in several different states, Lee and his wife, a native Rochesterian, have settled in Pittsford. His daughter and her husband live nearby, as does Lee’s grandson, just back from serving in Afghanistan. Lee’s daughter, Tina Maffucci, is on the board at the YMCA; it was she who suggested he do volunteer work there.
 
Lee works 12 hours a week at the Y, greeting members and running their cards through the computer as they enter. Additionally, he enjoys doing research on the computer, especially in the area of health and electronic advances. He enjoys “newness”— meeting new people and acquiring new knowledge.
 
If you need a welcoming way to ease into the rigors of early-morning exercise, visit the Y. You’ll find Lee there, serving others and making payment on the space he so delightfully takes up on earth.