A 91-year-old veteran from Bay Shore returned home Thursday following lengthy battle with COVID-19.

George Sperin's family members say they breathed a sigh of relief when the Marine Corps vet finally got the chance to come home after 33 days in the hospital. His five grandchildren say it's been an emotional roller coaster.

Keith Lawlor says he lost both of his in-laws this year and was terrified they'd lose George next.

Sperin, who also has five great-grandchildren, simply described the last month as "hell."

"I go out in the kitchen and get the coffee on and I had to sit down and take deep breaths. I was sucking wind," says Sperin about the day he knew something was wrong.

Sperin was very weak and short of breath, but after two weeks of physical therapy, he started feeling almost like himself again and was eager to get home.

"Physically I know I'm strong for my age, and mentally I was great, but when I was in the rehab and every time they tested me, and it comes back I'm still positive. I started to get depressed," says Sperin.

But after being an active man his whole life, Sperin says he can't wait to get back to it.

"Every day I try to get out and walk down at Bay Shore Marina, I exercise faithfully," he says. "I attribute my recovery to that."