He wears the biggest smile when he greets you, often humming along to his work as he keeps the YMCA as clean as possible. A job he’s been doing since 1980 when he was hired at 24 years old.

“I like keeping everything clean,” he said.

The staff at the Y put together a small party for Tony to celebrate his 40 years on their team. A bunch of colorful and shiny balloons paired with a “Congratulations” mug, a new YMCA t-shirt and card with heartfelt words from everyone greeted Tony Tuesday afternoon.

Along with the gifts, the directors at the facility also purchased some delicious pizza and a sub for him.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Tony is all smiles with his friend Dawn Mallory who attended his celebration.

“He’s a great employee,” Beth Bartlett, associate executive director, said. “He comes in everyday from 8 to 10 and has a routine. But if you ask him to do something he’ll do it.”

Tony’s mind is like a steel trap, too. If you ask him what the Y looked like when he first started, he’ll tell you everything, Bartlett said.

You can see his excitement as he reaches into his mind, eyes closed as if picturing the “old fashion” equipment and familiar layout of the building from years gone by.

He’ll point you to where the gymnasium was before being moved to the second floor. He’ll tell you where the pool was back then, as well as the location of each locker room.

He can remember the days of the Golden Agers Club and the weekly dances that used to take place at the YMCA.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Tony Palaia reads a card, given to him by the directors of the YMCA for his 40th anniversary.

Walking down the hallway, he’ll point to Bartlett’s current office, exclaiming that it used to be a lounge area. “It was a lounge room… it had a TV, a pop machine and a candy machine,” he said.

He’ll show you where offices used to be located, now occupied by exercise equipment. He’ll even be able to tell you about the Kiddie Corner and the facility downstairs that housed Mat Town wrestling tournaments.

Even after 40 years of custodial work, Tony doesn’t plan on giving it up. Maybe he’ll slow down a bit, but he loves his job.

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop,” he exclaimed.