A Good Age: He retired and wanted his dream horse. She went along, but not for the ride.

QUINCY – Like many newly retired couples, Frank and Linda Santoro were eager to create a different lifestyle that included shared adventures and individual dreams.

Five years ago, Linda took a trip to California with a friend because Frank didn't want to go. While she was away, Frank learned about a beautiful four-story house in Plympton with nearly 4 acres and enough space for a small barn and a horse – just what he had always wanted.

"He worked very hard all his life and he was entitled to live that dream," Linda said.

And so, the couple, who've been together since their teens, sold the house in Quincy where they had been for 38 years. Off they went to live in the country, next to acres of cranberry bogs, with neighbors who were all younger and still working.

"I was in heaven, walking the bogs with my horse," Frank said. "I rode my horse every day and even had a place to dump the manure."

As Linda puts it now, "It wasn't my dream, but eventually I got to come back to the city. I'm glad he got that chance and I lived through it."

Growing together and apart

They seem a supple couple, both 72, who know each other well and support one another's interests.

Frank Santoro and Linda Leavitt met in the 10th grade at a spaghetti supper dance at North Quincy High School. Both were with friends; the boys walked the girls home.

"We were attracted to each other and that was pretty much it," Linda said.

They dated through high school, and after they graduated in 1967, Frank went off to Framingham State College, Linda to the Chandler School for Women in Boston. They were married in 1971 at Chateau de Ville in Framingham and raised two children: daughter Lori Scott owns a yoga studio in Wollaston and son Michael, of Easton, is a teacher at Atlantic Middle School in Quincy.

They have four grandsons ages 4, 6, 22 and 24.

Frank enjoyed a 42-year career as a teacher and a principal in the Boston, Brookline and Quincy schools, retiring as principal of Quincy High School in 2013.

Linda developed her careers as a "secretary by training and a seamstress by trade." She worked as head of alterations for Lord and Taylor in Braintree, made all the costumes for the Quincy school plays, did fundraising and grant applications for the Quincy schools and volunteered and worked for DOVE, a nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence.

A horse sense

Frank's love of horses began when he was 8 years old. He would come home from the Montclair School to watch "Spin and Marty," part of The Mickey Mouse Club, on TV. In the series, Marty Markham, a rich orphan, attends summer camp at a dude ranch and becomes best friends with Spin Evans.

"I loved it so much and it was the beginning of my love for horses," he said. "I always had that passion of having a horse."

Once he retired, he headed for the Blazing Saddles Equestrian Center in Randolph. He told owner Amy Mullen that he would help out if she would teach him all about horses. For two years he showed up at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday to feed and water the horses and clean stalls.

"In back of my mind I was looking for a community where I could have a horse," he said.

After his son and daughter-in-law, a real estate agent, spotted the house for sale in Plympton, they all persuaded Linda to go along with the move. Mullen helped him purchase Maggie, a painted draft horse, "making a dream come true."

In October 2015, they made the move. Frank traded in his 2005 Thunderbird for a truck to haul manure and hay. His son and friend Kevin Murphy helped build a two-stall barn. Neighbor Jeff Randall had 10 horses and 150 acres of cranberry bogs with three pastures he could use. In return, Frank helped pick cranberries.

For a few years, Linda enjoyed the change. She immersed herself in shopping, decorating their spacious house and entertaining family.

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"Interior design is one of my passions," she said. They had a big party with 80 people to celebrate their youngest grandson Jesse's first birthday with pony rides and cowboy outfits. There was also a "cousins' party" featuring 100 people from Frank's large family.

Both are happy they chased his dream when they did.

"It probably would have been something I would have regretted not doing," he said. "I'm happy I had that experience."

Coming home

After nearly three years, Linda wanted to go back home. Frank's parents, Betty and Charlie Santoro, 97 and 91, also needed more help back in North Quincy.

In 2018, they moved back to the City of Presidents and rented an apartment at Marina Bay. They began looking for a house in their old Beechwood Knoll neighborhood and soon found one just across the marsh from their previous home.

They added a deck, perfect for watching the egrets, and a sun porch to serve as both Frank's painting studio – he does acrylic landscapes and portraits – and Linda's jewelry workshop.

Linda suggested they join the Quincy Art Association, where the late Kelly Cobble persuaded them to help her run it. Frank is now vice president; Linda is treasurer.

Frank, who visits Blazing Saddles but has stopped riding, serves on the school committee, the Quincy College board of governors, the board of Quincy Asian Resources and other community boards.

Asked how they keep life varied and harmonious, both said, "We've been together a long time. We have the same family values, the same work ethic. We support whatever the other wants to do. ... And a sense of humor is important."

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Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: In retirement Quincy couple find dream horse, art, adventures