Around the Bay

There wasn’t very much that could hurt Joe Rollino, the strongman who once lifted 3,200 pounds at Coney Island and was still bending quarters with his fingers at age 104.

He was finally taken out by a minivan.

Police said the driver wasn’t speeding and had not been drinking. The driver wasn’t charged except given a summons for a defective horn.

During his storied life, Rollino hobnobbed with Harry Houdini, watched Jack Dempsey knock out Jess Willard and was friendly with ’50s Hollywood great Mario Lanza. He even had a bit part in the 1954 classic, "On the Waterfront."

Friends said Rollino, a decorated World War II veteran, was the epitome of health – he didn’t drink or smoke, and exercised every day.

He would have been 105 on March 19.

The ninth annual Holiday Toy Drive by the Community First Chapter of Toys for Tots. of the 41^st Assembly District Democrats Club (Councilman Lewis Fidler) is set for Thursday, Dec. 17 from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. at the Club at 2952 Avenue R (off Nostrand Avenue)

The Toy Collection & Tally Party will include Subway sandwiches, kosher food and -- returning for his Amazin’ eighth straight year, our Special Honored Guest -- Mr. Met!

Bring a new, unwrapped toy, or a few!

For any questions or for information on sending in a financial donation, call Bryan Lee, the club’s executive director and founder of the drive, at (917) 846-1944.

More than 4,000 toys were collected last year – more than any other

Toys for Tots chapter in all of New York City for the third straight year.

Now there are more kids counting on the drive than ever before!