Reggie Jones, a former resident at Maple Pointe, was the longest-serving lifeguard at Jones Beach in Long Island.
They’ll always remember his smile. And how he always looked you in the eye. His chivalry and humility, too. But, of course, most of all they’ll never forget the pride he had serving as a lifeguard on Long Island.
The staff at The Chelsea at Maple Pointe, an assisted living community in Rockville Centre, New York, has spent time mourning the loss of Reggie Jones, who passed away this year on January 30th at 93 years old. In doing so, they took time to reflect.
Jones spent seven years at Maple Pointe, five in our Country Cottage. The staff said he was always a gentleman, wonderful to talk to, yet modest about his impressive longevity as a lifeguard at Jones Beach.
Jones in his trademark lifeguard sweatshirt.
According to The New York Times, Jones was the longest-serving and the oldest lifeguard at Jones Beach until he retired from the job at 81. He spent 64 summers on lookout and made more than 1,000 ocean rescues.
Those memories lived with him throughout his time at Maple Pointe.
The gregarious Jones “liked to be in his shorts throughout the year – summer or winter – as if he was still on duty,” said Tammy Marshall, the Executive Director at Maple Pointe.
The former World War II Navy veteran was always in great physical shape and wore a trademark lifeguard sweatshirt.
The Maple Pointe staff said that among some of his favorite things were sweets, reading about cars, and music from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
The Jones family, represented by two of his sons, remarked in a letter after their father’s passing about the “exceptional care” The Chelsea provided for their dad.
While Jones may no longer be with us, he’ll still be keeping watch from above, as if he never left his stand at the beach.
