Teacher, Board of Education member, coach, entrepreneur, legend and all-around great guy Tom Oves will be getting some well-deserved recognition on June 5.
Oves is the recipient of the Exchange Club of Ocean City’s 52
nd Annual Book of Golden Deeds award and will be honored at a dinner at the Flanders Hotel on June 5, 2017 from 6 to 10 p.m.
The event is open to the public. Regular tickets are $50 and $35 to members of the Exchange Club.
To register online please visit
www.ocxc.org/event-2508520 . To register by phone or email, please contact Jon Batastini at 609-827-4786 or
[email protected].
Oves is one of Ocean City’s most remarkable residents, well-known to local residents and visitors alike. His Golden Book of Deeds Award recognizes his many contributions to his hometown and community. The dinner is an opportunity to thank Tom for all he does and to have a fun evening in the process.
He does so much, from running his iconic boardwalk eatery, to coaching and administering the Ocean City Junior Wrestling Club and its tournament which draws wrestlers from all over South Jersey and surrounding states. He also coached for years in the Ocean City Little League.
Tom might be best known for his many years as an educator and supporter of education. An eight-year member of the Ocean City BOE, which he also served for four years as Vice President, he is as familiar as the firmament around Ocean City Schools. He chairs the Building and Grounds Committee, presiding over some of the top school and athletic facilities in the region. He also served on the Strategic Planning and Hall of Fame Committees.
Ocean City born and raised, Oves’ dedication to education began in 1987 at Wildwood High where he taught and coached Freshman Boys Basketball. He went on to Atlantic City Middle School and the High School, teaching in that system until 2007. He coached the Vikings’ traveling chess team during that period.
If Tom Oves makes it look easy, its because he is so good at giving back, not because it is easy. He has been faced with, and overcome serious health problems for more than 30 years –including bouts with cancer and the loss of a leg at the knee due to circulation problems—Tom just keeps going.
“Nothing can stop this guy, he is a force of nature,” said his friend Jon Batastini.
This is Ocean City’s chance to thank him at the banquet on June 5.
Tom, and his wife Mary have three boys – twins Dustin and John, and Tommy. During the summer season he works with his brothers Alex and Chris at the family restaurant, bike rental and umbrella rental emporium at 4
th and the Boardwalk.
