BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — Paul Salesi served as a senior chief in the U.S. Navy for 23 years before officially retiring in 1997.

But instead of taking it easy, he’s decided to give back in a different way.

Salesi has taken it upon himself to walk the streets of Bristol in search of ways to beautify America’s most patriotic town.

“It’s too historic of a place to lose any of this,” Salesi said, gesturing to his surroundings.

Salesi has done everything from painting the clock at the corner of Hope and State streets to restoring the wrought iron fence surrounding Linden Place .

And he’s not doing it for the glory.

“I’ve lived long enough to get the attention I need,” he said. “I’m doing this because I think everybody has the capability of giving back. It’s just a matter of wanting to.”

It takes “very little effort” to give back, according to Salesi.

“Everybody has something to bring to the table and in this case, I just happen to enjoy painting,” Salesi explained. “I wish I was an artist and was able to put it to canvas, but instead, I put it to outdoor work or indoor work or whatever I can do to make a change or improvement.”

Salesi said he gets satisfaction from bringing everything back to life.

“It gives everything a new perspective,” he said.

Though he didn’t grow up in Bristol, Salesi is proud to call it his home.

“I ended up moving to Bristol in 1983 when I met my wife, who is a Bristolian,” Salesi said. “We left Bristol in 1987 to continue my career and we finally came back for good because that was one of the stipulations for marrying my wife. If I ever took her away, I would have to bring her back.”

“This is the first place I have ever lived where I genuinely feel like it’s home,” he added.

Salesi embraces the fact that he’s not a true Bristolian. He can often be seen wearing a shirt with the phrase “Rhode Island OUTSDR” on it.

“I wear it as a joke, but I wear it with pride,” he explained. “I’m an outsider trying to give back to a town that’s absolutely beautiful. There’s so much history and unfortunately, I think too many people take it for granted … that they’re going to wake up every morning and it’s going to be here. But we’ve got to preserve this.”

Salesi doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“My wife keeps asking me why I’m pushing myself so hard, and it’s because I still can,” he said. “I intend to do so until I can’t.”

Johnny Villella contributed to this report.

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