A Look Back
By Fred Miller
Tom Oves, an Ocean City Beach Patrol legend, died on February 12, 2022 at the age of 87. He joined the patrol in 1951, and was made a lieutenant in 1960. He retired in September 1964
In 1951, Tom quickly established himself as the fastest rowers on the beach patrol winning the singles rowing race and placing second in the doubles row. The following year he won both events and the South Jersey double rowing championship. His partner was Jerry Angulo.
Tom spent 1957 and 1958 in the United States Army as a second lieutenant. He returned to the beach patrol in 1959 and won the doubles rowing race with Charlie Bowman.
Captain Thomas Williams made Tom a lieutenant in 1960 a position that allowed him to teach lifesaving skills to the younger lifeguards.
Tom started a decades long winning streak in the South Jersey championship in 1961 when he, Charlie Bowman and Dick Thieler won the championship. The following year Ocean City won their second straight South Jersey championship thanks to Tom, Ed Field and Dick Thieler. The OCBP won every South Jersey championship from 1961 to 1971.
“Guards Named to Hall of Fame” was the headline in the September 1, 1975, The Press of Atlantic City. The article began, “Three former Ocean City lifeguards have become the first persons in the newly formed Lifeguards Hall of Fame. Inducted were T. John Carey, Thomas Oves and Dick Thieler. A plaque commemorating the induction was presented to the trio by lifeguard Capt. George Lafferty.”
There were many comments on social media as the news of Tom’s death spread. Joe Grimes, Hall of Fame lifeguard, was one of the best: “Few cast a larger beach patrol sand print than Tom Oves. The stuff of legends but always humble and supportive. Tom leaves quite a remarkable and lasting legacy.”
