Ocean City lost one of its brightest lights Sunday with the passing of Tom Oves Jr., at 54.
Oves was a well-known educator, coach, entrepreneur, Ocean City booster and man about town.
He passed away at Atlantic City Medical Center following a recent accidental injury.
“Tommy was a warrior,” said longtime friend Harry Vanderslice. “He was always battling serious health issues and he did so with a smile on his face and a great attitude.”
An eight-year member of the Ocean City Board of Education, Oves served the Board for four years as its Vice President and was a member of high profile committees including Building and Grounds, Strategic Planning and Hall of Fame.
He was a longtime teacher in Wildwood and Atlantic City. He began his education career at Wildwood High School, where he coached freshman basketball, then went on to Atlantic City Middle School and High School.
In the summer months he could be seen running the Oves family’s boardwalk restaurant, bike and beach umbrella businesses.
“He epitomized Ocean City’s image as a family resort because he was all about family. His own, and others and he was all about Ocean City,” Vanderslice said, “He was an inspiration to me for the way he was able to overcome so many obstacles in his life and still manage to give so much of himself to others.”
According to Vanderslice, Tom Oves used to live by the motto of the late North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN sportscaster Jim Valvano. “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Tommy used to talk about that quote all the time, and he lived it. He battled one problem after another and did it with a smile on his face.”
It is understandable Oves put so much stock in a famous sports personality. Sports played an important role in his life. He founded and administered the Ocean City Junior Wrestling program and its tournaments, which drew youth wrestlers from all over South Jersey and even surrounding states. He also coached and volunteered for many years with the Ocean City Little League.
In June, Oves was honored by the Exchange Club of Ocean City and presented with its 52nd edition of the Book of Golden Deeds award, one of the oldest and most prestigious service awards given in the City.
“That was a great night, because Tommy was able to feel the love from the rest of the community.
A complete list of Oves health issues “reads like a medical journal,” one friend said, and it included more than 60 operations, 30 years of kidney dialysis treatments, four kidney transplants, a collapsed lung, fluid in the heart, several bouts with cancer and the loss of a leg due to circulation problems.
“Tom was as real as it gets and very transparent,” Vanderslice said. “He told you what was on his mind and he didn’t sugar coat it. If anyone earned the right to be that way, it was Tom.”
Another close friend, Tony Wilson was quoted at the Exchange Club event as saying that Oves provided him great advice after Wilson had been seriously injured in a construction accident. “He told me stay strong because that is what your children are going to remember you for.”
Today all of Ocean City remembers Oves not only for his strength, but also for his dedication to the town. He will be missed by the many people he touched in a positive way.
