As kids, we all had that one person who could always make us smile.  

For children in the Pre-K program at Floyd Bell in Windsor, that man is Edward Segrue.  

The 84-year-old, known simply as "Pops," spends his mornings setting up breakfast for each student in Mrs. Lamantia's class, who also happens to be his daughter.

The connection was instant.  

"It was just like magic. The kids are super," Segrue said. "I enjoy being around them, listening to their stories and everything. They question you and they're honest."

Each morning, like clockwork, children can count on "Pops" to be waiting in the hallway, greeting each of them with a hug or a smile as they arrive for the day.  

It's a tradition that started four years ago, not long after Segrue lost his wife of 56 years.  

"I had to have something to do after I lost my wife, and my daughter came up with the idea, 'Dad, come out to the school and help out with the breakfast,'" said Segrue.

"He agreed to try it, and obviously it wasn't a time in his life where he was looking for something to do, but he came in anyways and it's been a match," said Lamantia..

For these children, "Pops" has become much more than a happy face they can count on each morning.  

He teachers them manners and encourages them to learn.  

And even at 84, "Pops" is still learning too — learning to enjoy life once again.  

"To be standing there like I do in the hall way every day watching the kids go by, the ones I've had two, three, four years ago, they still come up and say 'good morning, Pops' and give me a hug, and there's nothing nicer than a child giving you a hug," said Segrue.

"Pops" has no plans on stopping, and has only missed a handful of days since he began volunteering four years ago.