Atlantic City is mourning a legend.
Rod Aluise, who led the Beach Patrol for years, has died. He was 83.
Aluise retired years ago, but his imprint on the Beach Patrol and those he mentored is still felt..
"We are still fresh in the process of grieving, but I felt obligated to inform the members and friends of the organization my dad loved and lived for his entire life," Aluise's son, also Rod Aluise, shared on the Beach Patrol's Facebook page Thursday night.
"I know that there are so many of you who loved and admired my dad — and maybe more that feared him," the younger Aluise wrote. "For those of you that never knew him, ask for stories. There will be plenty."
Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans was mayor when Aluise first took over the help of the patrol.
"With his knowledge and experience, I’m sure he made a difference in many of the youth who came through the Beach Patrol in his tenure," Evans said. "Even after retirement, he was always stopping by and visiting the headquarters. He had a love of Atlantic City, and it showed."
His longtime Dave Russo just saw Aluise on the Boardwalk the day before he died.
"After he retired, he would often come up to headquarters and sit with (current Beach Patrol Chief) Steve (Downey) and myself," he recalled. "(We would) look at the lifeguard yearbooks and laugh and tell stories. He never stopped being a lifeguard."
The only think Aluise loved more than the Beach Patrol was his wife of 37 years, Mary Beth, and his son, Russo said.
He recalled one of his friend's happiest moments, when his two loves joined: His son "put the red tank top on and his whistle and sat in the stand stand as a lifeguard for the first time."
The younger Aluise said h would share plans for honoring his father when they are set.
