Plaque Unveiling Caps 'Momentous Year' for Sea Isle's Beach Patrol

By DONALD WITTKOWSKI Shortly after Sea Isle City’s founding in 1882, the then-newly built railroad to the Jersey Shore brought throngs of vacationers from Philadelphia who were eager to enjoy the powdery beaches and shimmering ocean. In those days, the hotels hired their own lifeguards to protect their guests from drowning. Neighbors would occasionally pool their money to hire “subscription lifeguards” to keep an eye on swimmers. However, an epic shift occurred on July 11, 1919, when Sea Isle established a professional beach patrol, forever changing how the lives of countless beachgoers over the past 100 years would be protected. Capping a “momentous year,” current and former lifeguards joined city officials Saturday to dedicate a bronze plaque that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol. The unveiling ceremony at the beach patrol headquarters at 44th Street and the Promenade culminated a series of special events over the past year – including a parade on July 11 – that were part of the centennial celebration of the city’s lifeguarding service. “As 2019 rapidly draws to a close, it’s fitting that we stop and acknowledge what a momentous year this has been. After all, it’s not every day that a shore town gets to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its beach patrol,” said Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who had the honor of unveiling the plaque. Current and former lifeguards and city officials pose for a group photo in front of the Beach Patrol headquarters at 44th Street and the Promenade. Desiderio noted that the plaque will serve as a reminder “of the resilience and dedication that our lifeguards have displayed over the past 100 years.” The inscription reads, “Celebrating 100 Years of Lifeguarding. In Commemoration of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s 100th Anniversary. Founded on July 11, 1919.” Renny Steele, who will mark his 50th year with the beach patrol in 2020 and has served as the chief since 1986, spoke of the deep bonds that are built among Sea Isle’s lifeguards. “It’s a camaraderie, brotherhood and sisterhood that are experienced during your time on the beach patrol. It’s not just a job, it’s a life experience,” the 69-year-old Steele said. Bill Gallagher, 75, who was a member of the beach patrol from 1963 to 1978, said there is a tremendous amount of pride in just becoming a lifeguard because of the rigorous hiring process. “You have to prove yourself before you even get the job. There’s running, swimming, rowing and, above all, you have to have the right attitude in general. We never tried to foster a superior attitude. We were here to do our job and keep people safe,” said Gallagher, who headed the beach patrol from 1970 to 1978. Gallagher believes there is a strong kinship among the lifeguards that makes Sea Isle’s beach patrol particularly special – even more so than the other local beach patrols in Atlantic and Cape May counties, he said. Beach Patrol Chief Renny Steele, center, and former lifeguard captains Bill Gallagher and Mike McHale stand next to the plaque. Sea Isle officials also touted the beach patrol’s family atmosphere. Mary Stearne, who has two sons, David and Dan, who serve as lifeguard lieutenants, has assumed the unofficial role of the beach patrol’s matriarch. Over the years, the 82-year-old Stearne has given the lifeguards meals, protected their equipment from bad weather by storing it at her house and let them use her parking space in front of her home. A resident of Sea Isle since 1955, she even dated some of the lifeguards before marrying her late husband, Bill Stearne. “I like the guys. I knew a number of guys going back even before my sons joined the beach patrol,” Stearne explained of why she has helped the lifeguards for so many years. On Saturday, Stearne had the honor of joining her sons, other current and former lifeguards and city officials for the plaque unveiling and the group photos to celebrate the 100th anniversary. Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer, who snapped the city’s official photos, jokingly told everyone, “See you all in a century.” Mary Stearne, a longtime supporter of the beach patrol, is joined at the ceremony by her sons, from left, Dave, John and Bill.