A Creative Life at Elim Park: Father John’s Story

Discovering a Passion for Acting in Retirement

Retirement is often described as a time to slow down, but for Father John Williams, it became an opportunity to step into entirely new roles.

Although acting had always interested him, it was only after retiring that he decided to pursue it. He signed up with Central Casting and soon found himself working as an extra on television shows and movies filmed in New York. While his roles were small, the experience was anything but.

“It was wonderful to get to see these different things behind the scenes,” he recalls. “Meeting different people on set and seeing how filming really works was fascinating.”

One production stands out above the rest: Blue Bloods. What started as another day on set quickly became a memorable experience when the director pointed him toward a scene inside the district attorney’s office.

“You happen to be in the right place at the right time,” Father John says with a smile. “It was really a lot of fun.”

Bringing Creativity to Life at Elim Park

His appreciation for the performing arts did not stop there. After moving to Elim Park, he found that his love of storytelling naturally became part of community life. Through Elim Park University, he shared his experiences as a television and film extra, giving fellow residents an inside look at what it’s really like to work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

He also became involved with the Elim Park Players, our own theatre group on campus, where performing has brought laughter, friendship, and creativity into his everyday life.

“I think laughter is important, especially as you get older,” he says.

One of the things that continues to surprise him is the incredible talent within the community.

“You’ll see someone helping hand out programs one day, and the next thing you know, they’re on stage,” he says.

A Front-Row Seat to the Performing Arts

His love of theater extends beyond his own performances. Father John enjoys attending Cheshire Youth Theatre productions each summer, watching young performers transform in just a matter of weeks. One memory, in particular, has stayed with him.

“There was one little girl who seemed so shy,” he remembers. “Then she walked on stage, and you would have thought Ethel Merman was performing. She absolutely belted out every song. It was wonderful to watch.”

He is equally enthusiastic about the professional performances presented at Nelson Hall Theatre. Among his favorites was a Motown revue that transported him back to an earlier chapter of his life.

“Those were the songs from my era,” he says. “I knew every one of them.”

Always Something New to Discover

Even today, Father John still keeps an eye on casting notices, always hopeful that another opportunity might come along. His dream role?

“I’d love to be on Law & Order: SVU,” he laughs. “I can be a body, whatever they need.”

For him, acting has never been about fame. It is about being part of something creative, learning something new, and appreciating the work that goes into every production. One lesson that has stayed with him came from filming Blue Bloods, where a scene lasting only three minutes took an entire nine-hour day to create.

“It gave me a whole new appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes,” he says.

Reflecting on retirement, Father John believes the greatest gift has been the freedom to continue discovering new passions while sharing them with others.

“What I enjoy most about living at Elim Park is that there’s always something new to discover and be a part of.”

His story is a reminder that creativity has no age limit. Sometimes, retirement is not the final act. It is simply the beginning of a brand new one.