Reggie Jones, whose 64-year tenure made him the longest-serving lifeguard at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, died on Jan. 30 in Rockville Centre, N.Y. His death, at an assisted living facility, was confirmed by his son, also named Reggie Jones, who said the cause was probably diabetes. Mr. Jones, a World War II Navy veteran, began his lifeguard career at Jones Beach as a teenager in 1944 and worked every summer — including several years at other state beaches on Long Island — until 2009, making more than 1,000 ocean rescues. Even well into his 70s, Mr. Jones continued to astound his fellow lifeguards by passing the beach’s notoriously demanding recertification test each spring.

Source: New York Times February 14, 2021 20:03 UTC