A Well-Earned Finish Line: Bob Berezowski Retires After 35 Years at the Toronto Athletic Club

After 35 years of healing hands, steady encouragement, and countless conversations, Bob Berezowski is preparing to close one chapter and begin another. On March 31st, the longtime massage therapist at the Toronto Athletic Club will officially retire at 65 — not because he has to, but because he feels it’s simply time.

And true to form, he plans to celebrate properly with the team. He’s fairly certain he’ll wake up the next morning with a headache — the kind that calls for a little Advil and perhaps, fittingly, a massage of his own.

From Poland to Pickering — and a New Beginning

Bob’s journey to Toronto began thousands of kilometres away in Poland. Inspired by his father, a medical doctor, Bob felt drawn early to a career in health care. He went to college to become both a massage therapist and physiotherapist, beginning his professional life helping others move and feel better.

At 24, with a sense of adventure and uncertainty about his future, he left Poland for what was meant to be a trip around Europe. He never returned.

He spent time in Italy before making a life-changing decision to immigrate. At the time, only three countries were accepting immigrants: Australia, the United States, and Canada. Australia was accepting families only. The U.S. required proof of personal danger if he remained in Poland. That left Canada — and an aunt living in Pickering made the choice feel possible.

He arrived not knowing the language and with little money, but with determination. Poland would become a free country just a few years later, but by then Bob was already building his future in Canada. He completed a six-month English program provided by the government, but credits television, radio, and everyday conversations for truly teaching him how to speak.

He earned his Canadian license and built a life here — including meeting his wife, also from Poland. She plans to retire next year, and together they are looking forward to continuing to travel the world.

A Career Woven into the Club

Bob’s early days at the Toronto Athletic Club were spent somewhat tucked away beside the squash courts. Later, he moved to a room between the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Eventually, he transitioned into working within the Clinic space — and that’s when things became even more fun.

He loved the banter, the camaraderie, the shared stories between staff appointments. The team often went out after work, and the Club became more than just a workplace — it became a community. The clients were friendly, the staff supportive, and the environment vibrant. For Bob, it was never just about massage; it was about people.

The Runner Who Learned to Lift

Outside the treatment room, Bob has always embodied the active lifestyle he encouraged in others.

A dedicated runner for decades, he completed 12 marathons — including iconic races in Boston, Chicago, and Warsaw.  In his peak running years, he rarely lifted weights. Like many endurance athletes of that era, he focused almost exclusively on mileage.   But over the past three to four years, that began to change.

Bob started spending more time in the gym weight training — and gradually began running less. The results surprised him. He feels better overall now than he did when he was logging heavy mileage. Stronger. More balanced. Healthier.  He openly shares this perspective with his clients: strength training matters. It protects the body. It supports longevity. And for him personally, running less has proven to be better for his health.

That doesn’t mean he’s stopping. Last year, he completed a duathlon at Osaka Beach, proving that competition still calls to him. In retirement, he plans to continue cycling and running — but with shorter distances — while maintaining a strong commitment to weight training.

It’s no longer about chasing times. It’s about feeling good.

Retirement — Not an Ending, Just a Shift

There is no dramatic reason behind Bob’s retirement. No injury. No grand announcement. Just a thoughtful decision at 65 that it’s time for a new rhythm of life.

After decades of early mornings, full appointment books, and steady dedication to others’ wellbeing, he’s ready to focus on his own.

There will be travel. There will be cycling routes to explore. There will be shorter runs and steady lifts in the gym. And undoubtedly, there will still be conversations — because connection has always been at the heart of what he does.

For 35 years, Bob helped keep the Toronto Athletic Club moving. He eased tight muscles, encouraged stronger bodies, and quietly modeled what it means to adapt and evolve with age.

On March 31st, he crosses his own finish line — not with a medal, but with gratitude, friendships, and a life built through courage, resilience, and strength.

And come April 1st, if he’s nursing a celebratory headache, at least he’ll know exactly how to treat it.