HEY FRED,

HOW R U? I DON'T KNOW WHERE BUZZ IS BUT I WILL TRY AND FIND OUT. WHERE R U? GINGER HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR U TOO SINCE I POSTED THE PICTURE OF YOU TOO. HAPPY NEW YEAR. WILL LET U KNOW IF I FIND BUZZ.    jazz3056@aol.com

JULIE    12/31/09

Really would like to hear from Julie Barcone as she and I need to connect
a little about the whereabouts of our friend Charles "Buzzy" Harte who I
joined the Air Force with and have lost touch with.

Fred Bailey    12/30/09

Can't wait to see you all again this summer----all of us looking for sea
glass and just soaking in the sun (freezing today). I've been at the
beach in winter and did see Barbara there collecting sea glass!*!* Happy
new year to u all!*!**!

Carolee    12/30/09

Happy Holidays and New Year to all the Beach Bums and Friends!
A Festivus for the rest of Us!
May Peace and Love be with all of you.

Anonymous     12/29/09

Fred Bailey is the mystery man in the old picture of me!!!! He found me!!
Yay!

Ginger    12/29/09

Wishing all my Jones Beach center Boardwalk bums and Eisenhower Park friends a safe and Happy New Year 2010. My summers were the the best with you! 1972-1973

Fred Bailey    12/29/09

Hey All,

Wishing you all a very beautiful holiday season and a happy, healthy and
prosperous New Year!

Love ya's, Debby (Munchkin)    12/25/09

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO MY BEACH FAMILY, I LOVE

YOU ALL, AND HOPE TO SEE ALOT OF YOU THIS

COMING SUMMER.

PEACE AND MUCH LOVE ALWAYS

PETE THE FREAK AND KAREN RUGGIERO    12/25/09

Merry Christmas to all Bums near and far!

Jeff    12/25/09

Hi everyone, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Holiday with your loved ones and a healthy New Year!

Love Joanne    12/23/09

Hello Bums

Happy Holidays to all

John Bracco   
Miami Florida/Bay Shore NY     12/23/09

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy holiday season as well as a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous    12/12/09

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanks for being who you are.

Jeff    11/26/09

Hi,

Hope everyone is fine. This is Pete the Freak, and I`m back on line again - my email address is: karenpete425@yahoo.com.

Happy Holidays.    11/21/09

Elated and saddened to be here - so sorry to hear about Ronny!
Love to all.

Paul Rauch    10/22/09

Hello Beach Bums,

I was hoping to come to the Fund Raiser/Reunion but could not. After reading through all of the meaagages on this site, I saw lots of love being shown, that's a great thing. Take Care Bums.

John Bracco    10/11/09
Miami Florida

Watkins Glen was July 28, 1973, not 1972, and the mad dog Mogen David, which is affectionately called "Mad Dog 20/20" became md5050 by the time we were done with it -

A. Bear    9/28/09

A long time ago, I was an ocean lifeguard at Jones Beach for about ten summers. I subsequently moved to Los Angeles where I work as a filmmaker. I was astonished to learn that a lot of the lifeguards I had worked with all those years ago are still working the beach. So, over a period of two or three weeks for a few summers, I filmed those guys (and others) who had been guarding for thirty, forty, fifty, and in the case of one extraordinary individual, sixty-four years. The film touches on their lifestyle, and what keeps them coming back to the beach year after year.

There are many parallels between the guards and the Jones Beach Bums, and so I thought it a natural place to share the interest. The film is available, it has won awards, and I'm beginning to get it out there to the public. I noticed on your site that someone, "thanked" me for making the film. So, I decided that it would be great if I could put something up on the site and make it available to any Jones Beach Bum who would like to purchase a copy.

Ron Colby    9/17/09
www.artistsconfederacy.com

Hi Everyone,

I was just looking over some of the posts and something occured to me. I know that it was over a month ago, and I know they'll probably never see this, but I'd like to say a special thank you to the members of Grand Blvd and VOR. I know the guys in my band didn't know Ronnie or Joanne and had never heard of the Jones Beach Bums, and I suspect that the same could be said for the guys in Danny's band. They came out anyway, schlepping equipment and played their hearts out hard just because Danny and I asked them to.

Thanks guys!

Love,
Ira    9/12/09

Hey Andy - Wasn't Watkins Glen in July '73?

Unknown    9/11/09

MD5050 mad dog...Laced, Watkins Glenn the place, the figure 8 track,
Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers in '72 the scent of camp fires with
the Music playing on the breeze -

Love Andy the Bear    8/29/09

Love to all,
Mama Pfeff (Laurie)    8/29/09

-Unofficial JBB    8/6/09

1956 - 1986

Happy Birthday Sweet Bonnie Roth

With Love From All Of Us
Scotty

August 1, 2009

It was so great seeing those of you who were able to attend the benefit on Saturday. I'm sorry I missed some of you who had to leave early, I wish I could have been there sooner. I hope that you all know how much I appreciate all the effort that went into planning this event and those wonderful individuals who made it happen - Ginger, Danny, Marilyn & Mark, Jan and Shari. (If I've left anyone out I do apologize.) And of course to those of you who performed - Danny, Jeff, Ira, Dennis, and Andy - you were great! It really does my heart such good to know that after all these years we have such an unbelievable group of friends who care so much for each other. Thank you for supporting me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys so much! And many many thanks from Jenny.

Joanne     7/29/09

To all of my brothers and sisters, thank you so much for the fund raiser.
Your spirit is healing.

Love  xoxoxo
Laurie (mom)    7/29/09

Well what can I say. A most amazing day. Back to each other we have found our way. Though the the years have past how our memories still last. I believe in yesterday.

I am so moved by you all and your generosity of love and giving. We are all truly blessed, as Robbie says, to have each other. The spirit is alive and well. We see it every day here on this site that Shari was moved to put up. We see it in each other's eyes when connect each year. The benefit and reunion were amazing. Thank you so much to all that contributed and gave of themselves. I want to thank My friend Dave "Big Bird" Mucci and Panera Bread for their very generous donation of food - Dave, we all missed you yesterday. To Marilyn and Mark Brower for really being my right hand. To Ginger for working tirelessly and so joyfully with the fund raising. To Ira, Jeff, Andy, Dennis and the beautiful and talented Jan for adding their talent. To all for sharing the spirit of hope and love. Most of all I would like to thank Joanne and Jenny for sharing Ronnie with us. Can't wait to see you all again. I would be honered to help put together our upcoming 40th anniversary reunion as well. Right around the corner you know.

Peace and Love
Danny    7/26/09

Special thanks to all who attended last night's fundraiser. I personally
had a blast seeing everyone and performing!

There will be a summer party at my house on Saturday August 1, 7pm until the last person leaves - hope to see everyone there!

Jeff    7/26/09

It was great to talk to everyone that I did, and I apologise to those that I didn't get to talk to. I am so glad that the event went so well, which I can see from the few posts on FB tonight. I Love all of you so much and I am gonna try like hell next year to get there. I Miss you all so frikin much it hurts, but my heart was lifted when Julie called me tonight and let you all talk on her dime. Love ya, Julie.

Scott Hirschfield
Proprietor, Hirschfield Hilton    7/26/09

Happy Birthday Brother.  You Are Missed   

7/25/09

I wish I could be there today....I am wishing you all a great day, and good
luck on Jenny's Benefit!!!!

I know I speak for the entire Rackovitch family when I say, "Have a lot of Fun!" We are with you all in spirit.  

Daria (Rackovitch) Kowal    7/25/09

Ronnie,

HAPPY DAY OF YOUR BIRTH

Paul    7/24/09

RAFFLE ITEM ALERT!
Improve your guitar playing while raising money for Jenny!

Jeff Curtis - professional musician and guitarist extraordinaire - will be donating one guitar lesson HOUR.

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in improving their guitar playing and/or learning alternative finger-picking methods. Make a bid!

In addition, Jeff will be performing at the Pub from 7:00-7:45 on Saturday.

I didn't know it back then, but as it turned out I made friends for life.

Walter Wojnicki    7/19/09

HI BEVERLY!!!!!!

HOW ARE YOU? I THOUGHT YOU MOVED TO CALIFORNIA. MY EMAIL IS
garfysnowpop@att.net. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

LOVE, ROBERTA    7/5/09

Hi Roberta,

Remember your good old friends, Beverly and Shari? This is
Beverly! I live in Palm Beach County.

Beverly    7/4/09

How many Jones Beach Bums live in Broward County, Florida? I don't know if anyone even remembers me.

Roberta Potraker Friedland    7/3/09

(p.s. I was usually hanging out with Juliette)

The annual reunion and benefit for Jenny's Fund are rapidly approaching and we still need help with volunteers to help man the raffle booth and the door. Also anyone that wishes to help with food items.

Please contact Danny at dc_tarsus@yahoo.com to volunteer or find out how to help with the food items.

SECOND ITEM UP FOR SILENT AUCTION:
ONE WEEK IN OCEANFRONT CONDO IN NORTH CAROLINA!

1 bedroom oceanfront condo on one of the beautiful pristine beaches of North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

Sleeps 5: there is a queen bed in the bedroom, a pull out queen size sofa bed and a twin bed in the alcove, full kitchen and full bath. Oceanfront deck Rental.

Date is September 12-September 19 (possibly negotiable)
ALL fees - such as cleaning, local telephone and wireless Internet - included!!!

This condo is so oceanfront that at high tide you feel like you're on a boat. It is very isolated and relaxing. The only thing between you and the water is sand.
$600 value!!

If you are interested, I will send you pics of the condo.
Please email nyboots@aol.com and put "condo" in the subject line.

Happy Bidding and Good Luck - Remember, this is for Jenny!!!


Ginger    6/19/09

First silent auction item for Jennies Fund!!

3 NY Yankee Main Box Seats:
4th row, Section 224 , seats 16, 17 & 18 (between home and 3rd), Value $300, for Monday September 7th 1:00 PM vs Tampa Bay.

Please contact nyboots@aol.com with "Yankee Tickets" in the subject if you're interested in bidding. Thank you!


Ginger     6/12/09

PS - Please download the flyer (CLICK HERE), bring it to businesses you frequent, and ask for gift certificates. Let's get as many raffle prizes as we can!!! Please email me if you can make donations - thank you!

CLICK HERE to download the flyer for the fundraiser — please print out copies and pass them out in your neighborhoods!

Jan    6/10/09

Hi All,

I finally got information on where to send a condolence card for Mike Chapnick if anyone would like to. He passed away on May 3rd 2009. I have met his 14 year old daughter several times and she is taking it very hard. Her name and address is:

Mellissa Chapnick
4031 Granbrook Place
Newport Richey, FL 34652

One of his other daughters and her 9 yr. old had just moved in with them as well. Her name is Rebecca Waters. Mike was in bad shape for quite awhile. We talked on the phone a lot. I know that for him he is in a better place. He was very religious and when he passed away he was in church. Seems to me that, for him, he was in the best place to be.

Later,
Debby (Munchkin) Lorber     5/29/09

Hi My Beachbum Family,

Hope you all had a good Memorial Day and you remembered our veterans.

Looking forward to seeing lots of you in JULY!

Stay save and be happy. I love all my brothers & sisters.

Peace,
Pete the Freak    5/26/09

I'm looking for pics of the Air National Guard's exhibit at the Jones Beach State Park air show on Sat. May 23, 2009. Especially pictures showing young people/children trying out equipment. Please contact woodge1@hotmail.com.

Thanks & have a great Memorial Day Weekend!  

5/24/09

Julie; I just saw the pictures you sent in from Salisbury Park. The pictures are great, and seeing the names helps the memories come alive. Anybody know where Duane (Lurch) or Scott Weiss is these days? Anybody remember Bob Mallow from Westbury who used to hypnotize people at parties?

Thanks again, Julie!

Uncle Scotty   5/19/09

To Andy and Debbie Lorber - So sorry to hear about Mike Chapnick!

Scotty   5/19/09

Hi - I recently read about the death of Fred Botway on your site. I had a relationship with Fred for several years, from about 1980-1985. We were very close and I was also close with his parents and sister...but, so much time has gone by, and I wonder if you could help me to contact them...please feel free to send them my email address, or if they don't mind I would like to write to them. I am sorry for your loss, all of you who shared so many good times...

Be Well,
Pat Dickey pdickey@comcast.net    5/17/09

It was a real pleasure seeing pics of Fred Botway. They were great. What
memories. Fred died in 2003 in Phoenix. I am happy that he is remembered by his fellow bums.

Stan Botway (Fred's father)    5/16/09

I can't get over this website. I have lots of these pics myself. I was
an everyday regular at Field 4 and "Salisbury Park". Always had a great
tan going on and way too much fun! I am surprised I am not in some of
these group pics back in the 70's, cause I was there!

Pat     5/15/09

More Sad News!!!! I received word from Debby (Munchkin) Lorber that Mike Chapnick has passed away. Mike was a great guy and a good friend and will be missed. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, gang. As more info becomes available, I will try to post it.

Love all you guys and gals. Stay safe.
Andy G    5/8/09

Hi all. Just finished up school & don't know what to do with myself and ended up here. It's been a while since I was on the site and I've been going through all the pictures and all the lovely things written by everyone and feel very blessed to be a part of this group. I can't wait to see everyone in July.

Jean (Laguzzi)    5/6/09

HI ALL OUR BEACH BUM PALS

We are back online! The email address is karenandpeter@netzero.com.

Pete and Karen    5/4/09

Danny,

I do not remember you, but thank you so much for your tremendous work on the benefit.

Peace always,

Pete the Freak    5/4/09
karenandpeter@netzero.com   

To all my dear friends:

It is hard for me to put my feelings into words but I am going to try since I felt like it was time for me to say something to all of you. Losing Ronnie, who was the love of my life since I was fifteen years old and the father of our daughter has been the worst ordeal of my life. Most of you or all of you know our story, how long it took for us to be together as a family, and how happy we finally were. He was such a special person, and I miss him so much, my life will never be the same without him. I am so grateful for the 18 wonderful years of marriage we had together, but it went by way too fast and I never imagined it would end like this.

To every one of you who called, sent cards, emails, made donations to the American Cancer Society and to "Jenny's Fund", to those of you who came to Ronnie's wake and funeral, who found beautiful ways to express your love for us - I want you to know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. At the funeral home when I looked up and saw that long line of friends waiting to speak to me and share their heart, I was overcome with emotion. I still get a lump in my throat every time I think of it.

I have been totally overwhelmed by your generous donations to help establish a college fund for Jennifer and by your amazing efforts to organize this wonderful fundraiser. I don't think that anyone has ever had a more wonderful group of caring friends, and for that I feel so very blessed.

Love Joanne    5/3/09

Please join our rally to keep all the Jones Beach beaches open!

Saturday May 2, 2009 - Boardwalk at Field 4   Sponsored by NYSUT, United University Professions & the Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps

I was working at West Bath House and Central Mall as a lifeguard in the 70's. That looked to be the time period of your photos. I had long hair and a beard, and played guitar - yes, I was a hippie lifeguard! Time has moved on (as we all know). Now I have no hair, but I am still a lifeguard - in fact, I am the President of the Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps Union. We have come upon hard times. Governor Paterson has cut the beach budget this year, and over 50 lifeguards are being laid off. West End 2, Field 1 and East Bay House Pool are to be closed for the season. We are having this rally to protest these closures. I was hoping you could spread the word to your members. I am sure I hung out with many of you back in the day, and it would be fun to meet up again. Those photos were great. Trying to explain Winky Dink to people can be difficult. One of my daughters works as a lifeguard at West Bath House...so the traditions continue.

Thanks for your Support.

Tom    5/1/09

Hey, how is everyone doing. I'm Jeffs backyard neighbor, who was helped
over the fence. Thank you all, had a great time.

Paula    4/28/09

I wanted to thank everyone that has contacted me to help out with the Benefit for Jenny's Fund. You guys are really stepping up. We have some great entertainment and some really cool raffle items. Please try and get as many of your friends to attend as you can. Also keep in mind that this is also our annual reunion and we want to make sure that does not get lost in the planning.

We will be posting more info in the coming weeks, so look for that. If you want to help out with anything please contact me, Ginger or Shari.

Again I thank you all for the support.

Peace and Love
Danny    4/13/09

Ginger    4/12/09

West End 2 is going to be closed this season?

The Pool will be closed, too?

Are they INSANE? Talk about lost revenue......

Kim, Daria, Donna, Judi and Mr and Mrs Rakovitch,

I am both thrilled and saddened to find this site!
First, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Tommy. I always remember him as so sweet.

I have very fond memories of my childhood living on Pembroke street with
all of you. Over the years I have wondered what you all were up to. Why it took me so long to 'google' you I don't know. I hope all is well.

Marguerite Gargiula    4/9/09
mgargiula@verizon.net

The Hirshfield Hilton: Potted Again!

Back in the hippie high school and college days of the early 70s, I was in a fun group of suburban hippies called the Jones Beach Bums. It was an agglomeration of the Plainview crew, a group called the "Wheat Chips," and our local Bellmore crew, dubbed,"United Mutations." We had a garage rock band named "The Magic Lepers," or alternately, "Captain Pollack and the Magic Lepers." We covered Frank Zappa's music and wrote some of our own stuff. Our names included, "Golden Lips, (yours truly)," " Captain Pollack (who never led the band)," "Kneecaps (because he was tall)," "Sweet Keys (now a professional jazz musician)," "Toenails (his name was Tony)," Larry the Lung ( because he took large pulls on his joint and then coughed without holding it in),"and "The Leper (he had atopic dermatitis, giving him a skin rash that came and went, mostly staying)."

The "Bums," as we called ourselves, hung out alternately at Jones Beach Field 4 by the steps and on the sand (sometimes also at Eisenhower a/k/a Salisbury Park), hanging out, singing, playing guitars and percussion. I sometimes joined in playing the nose, kazoo, or singing. We also played a teenage hormone filled game called Winky Dink. Teenage boys and girls paired up, mostly randomly, forming a circle. There was always an odd extra gender member. That gender was the outside of the circle. The unpaired person would then wink at someone, either randomly or because there was an attraction. The wrestling would begin, with almost no holds barred. The winkee had to get across the circle and their partner had to stop it. Then the game would begin anew when the winkee touched the winker, with the loser winking at a new winkee.

The "Bums" also were notable for amazing parties, held at whoever's parents were on vacation that particular weekend. If everyone's parents were home, the default party location was the "Hirshfield Hilton," a place where we could crash and party even if Scott's folks were home. This brings me to an evening of notable memory, of which there are many. We were at our default party zone and we were all whining about the lack of good pot to smoke. In walked "Crazy Al," (who later became my college roommate). His Dad owned several major Hotels in Daytona Beach, so he was well off. He had just scored several ounces of amazing herb, and about 30 of us set out to inhale it all immediately. It was a smoke filled, "Purple Haze" of black light and inebriation until it was time for my teenage
curfew. I parked the "Mutation Wagon" about a foot from the curb and entered a completely dark house, unlocking the door. A flashlight stabbed my horribly sensitized eyes, as my Mother announced, "You're potted! Your pupils are dilated!" I replied, "Yes, Mom, now can I get a drink of water and go to bed, please." My Mom continued to berate me until she realized my apathy, and I slept a sound sleep.

As an item of note, my last potsmoking experience was on New Years' Eve 1980 with Patch Adams. I haven't used any since, and I've learned about a number of deleterious effects of it. I don't recommend even occasional use, but I do have some very bizarre and humorous memories.

Hi Danny! Its Grace Cosenza!!! I want to come to the fund raiser for
JoAnns daughter. Keep me posted. Remember SMOKE? HEAD HILL???
Grace12357@AOL.COM

4/7/09

ALL BUMS,

In the springtime of our lives we had so much optimism of what we could accomplish as a generation. All we needed was a good cause to get behind. We had Fesivals of Life. This year let us have a celebration of life. A celebration of our lives. Let us all get behind this cause and "Teach Our Children Well". We had festivals of hope. Our hope was that we could change things for the better. My hope now is that we can. I ask that you all visit the JBB website as much as you can. This is a true labor of love and a great gift to us all from Shari. Look at the photos of us all when we had so much hope and so much life. Look at the memorials and remember those that can not be with us to celebrate. Let us celebrate their lives. So much of what we all are were shaped and molded in those years back in the springtime of our lives. I HOPE to see you all at this year's celebration.

PEACE, and LOVE,
Danny    3/28/09

Just getting on this site for the first time in a couple of years, so that I could get Joanne's address...just wanted to add to Jeff's message re:Mini Mole, that I too was taking a moment of silence with a friend of mine... leading up to that moment, I told her the story of the Beach Bums and tried my best to let her know "all about Ronnie" and what a great guy he was... she was amazed, she didn't know anything about the Bums... I guess I don't talk much about the things I should be talking about (as many say in my Facebook page, they didn't know I do art, etc. and blah blah blah)...I also am totally fascinated by all the hard work that Shari has been doing on this site and how she keeps it so up to date...AMAZING... thank you Shari, I think your hard work has a direct relationship with the fact that we are all in touch, still after all these years... xoxoxo

Donna    3/28/09

Note from Shari: I feel honored and blessed to have the joy of maintaining this website. Thank you all who participate or just appreciate it! :-)

Okay, you probably don't remember us. Diane Gillen, Ellen Gillen, and Lois Teer (the one who had a stuttering issue). Yes, we are all living down in Florida now. Diane is married living with her husband, Russ, in Orlando. Ellen, along with her husband, Walter, is living in Orlando . . .and me, Lois, married 10 years on 4/03, living in Hollywood, FL. Haven't kept in touch, but I thought since I'm back online, I thought I would. Would love to hear from someone out there in beach-bum land!    

Lois    3/27/09

NOTE TO LOIS: I tried to email you, Lois, but your address on the directory is incorrect. Please send an update so you can hear from us! ~Shari

I saw Danny's band, VOR, at the Zebra Club in Copiague on 3/21 - they were great.

Good job, and keep playin' that rock n'roll!

Jeff     3/25/09

To those folks who attended the winter party - your host has a mea culpa. I received a telephone call from Mitch (Mini-Mole) moments before we stopped for the moment of silence for Ronnie at 10 pm that night. I was supposed to let everyone know he had called and to let everyone know he was joining us, in spirit, from his home in Florida.

I totally forgot to do this.

I was focused on getting everyone's attention and then making a very difficult announcement. There was also a fellow musician, Nick, adding his recently deceased friend's photo and memory to the moment.

Nevertheless, I forgot to mention Mitch's telephone call and as a result, he was unintentionally left out because of that. He has told me that he had his own moment of silence as we were having ours and I wish this fact to be known. If we can't be together in person, technology allows us to connect, as long as the human connected to it doesn't screw up.

I apologize for what happened.

Love,
Jeff     3/19/09

To the Lancaster family:
I have known you all a very long time, and consider you all very close
friends. I just want you to know that I am grieving with you for a person
who we loved and admired. If there is anything I can do, please contact me. I would love to help in any way I can.

Mitch
Mini-Mole    3/18/09

Please know that Ronnie Lancaster is also survived by his younger brother
Dave Lancaster and his 82 year old mother Florence.    

3/14/09

I have dedicated a song to our brother Ronnie, and his Journey Home:

http://www.myspace.com/dannycalvagna

Danny    3/14/09

Joanne, You have been in my thoughts every day. Though I've only seen you and Ronnie once in 30 years, your shining spirits shine for me. May God bless you and he and your family with comfort and love.

Michael Seifert    3/13/09

My deepest sympathy to the Lancaster Family. May Ronnie's spirit fill your
hearts with joy and happiness as you make it through this tough time.

Daria Rackovitch    3/13/09

Hi All you wonderful Beach Bums!

My sister and I attended Ronnie's wake today 3/12/09. As we were leaving, my sister and I chatted a bit on the way to the parking lot, and all the two of us could say was, "how blessed you all are to have each other", and that they don't make friends like you guys and gals anymore. You all are such a special group, beyond compare to any I have ever encountered. May I always be blessed to be invited and around all of you! Beechel (who I call Beech) said it beautifully, "Tommy was waiting for Ronnie the minute he walked in the gates." I'm grateful he is there with Tommy...sad for his family, but grateful he's with my brother. With summer around the corner and my daily trips over the Long Beach bridge, I will be saying good morning to both of them..............Two GREAT GUYS!

Big hugs from
Judi Rackovitch (the youngest of the clan)     3/12/09

Completely shocked to hear of Ronnie’s passing. My condolences to Joanne, Paul and the Lancaster family. As pictured from the past, I see Ronnie and Tom stroll barefoot down Arcadia Avenue, feather clips hanging from their ripped jeans with no shirt on. With empty pockets and no food to spare, they continue to stroll down Front Street and jump over the fence to hitch a ride to the beach. But it did not bother them, they were happy with whatever they had and couldn’t wait to hang out with that same crowd at Jones Beach. Ronnie's inspiration to friendship and his quiet personality is going to be missed. God Bless you Ronnie.

Kim Rackovitch    3/10/09

Joanne, Paul and the entire Lancaster family - my tears and sympathy. Ronnie for me was an "immortal" and he will be in heaven. He was so great, so much fun, always happy, always optimistic and always ready to have fun and party. I can't believe that he's gone at such a young age, and he will be missed by all of us, forever.

Your friend,

Alan (Leo)    3/9/09

To Scott Hirshfield, who in his message dated 9-14-04 said, "Funky Times, and who remembers the name of the bar across the street?"

Yesterday's News.
Funky Times was formerly Ryan's, and Zoli's was on the east end of Hemp stead.

A. Bear    3/9/09

Special thanks to everyone who attended the winter party Saturday night, March 7. We all observed a moment of silence at 10 PM in loving memory of Ronnie, and a candle was lit. It was a moment I am sure none of us will ever forget.

It is more than an honor to host the parties because the love and friendship we share is what has enriched our lives over the years and made us what we are today. Thank you all again and God bless!

Joanne, Jenny, Paul, Rosie - you are in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask.

Love,

Jeff    3/9/09

Shari, I am so sad to hear about Ronnie. I had no idea he was sick. Please let his family know they are in my prayers.

All my love,

Mara     3/9/09

To the Lancaster Family, I deepest thoughts in ur time of loss. This is Tommy's oldest sister, Donna. I always heard Tommy talk about the guys. He was happiest with the Lancaster boys and Bums. My heart goes out to the family. Know that Tommy was there waiting. Sorry can't type, just so sad here.

Best Regards,

Donna     3/9/09

Melissa Vanderhall did it again. She was chosen All-American in volleyball
at UT http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=1311. We
are so proud of her. Our email is Van99star@aol.com. Take care and hope to see you guys at the reunion.

3/9/09

Joanne, Paul, and to the extended Lancaster family:
Our hearts go out to you for your loss; remember that he was, and what he was - the glowing light in the dark.

Love,

Andy the Bear    3/9/09

I am deeply saddened to hear of Ronnie's passing. He was a wonderful man, a loving husband, and father. And one of the most loved Beach Bums. My condolences to Paul, Joanne, and the entire Lancaster and Issac's families.

Bob Beechel    3/8/09

Just heard the sad news about Ronnie. Harriet and I have fond memories of Ron from Tune In in Uniondale. We remember him with great affection. He always was extremely courteous to us. After all these years it is our loss that we haven't seen him since the old days.

I know our Tom is going to meet him in heaven, and it won't be long before they're playing Winky Dink.

All our love to his family and to you all.

Gene & Harriet Rackovitch    3/7/09

Do you remember I lived in Wantagh and had a huge party at my house?
Also I had sweet 16 boy/girl sleepover party.

So sorry to hear about Ronnie.

Nancy Endres    3/7/09

To the Lancaster Clan,

I am so sad to hear of Ronnie's passiing this morning. This is a great loss for all of you and the beach the bums, friends and people's lives he touched. My heart goes out to to all of you.

I know that Ronnie will be very missed and will be smiling down on all of us, at the reunions to come, and our lives.

I never met a happier or more positive and fun loving indivdual than he. His spirit, charm, strength and most of all character, will live on through the ones he loved and loved him in return.

I feel honored to have known him and saddened to only remember him.

You will never be forgotton my dear old friend. Rest well, surf the beaches and the skies. My prayers, thoughts and love go out to your beautiful and dear family. My deepest sympathy to all of you. )-;

Peace and Love,

Jan    3/6/09

Joanne, I was in shock when I heard about Ronnie. I keep thinking about the band we had and how much fun we had with it. My thoughts are with you, Hon. We will all miss him very much. Stay safe Joanne.

With Love,

Andy G    3/6/09

To Joanne, Jenny, Michelle, Paul, Rosy & the girls, and all your loved ones...what a heart-breaker, what a loss. Claire & I offer you our deepest sympathy.

Ronnie, I'm going to miss you, Brother. Your memory, your character, and your beautiful spirit will live on forever. Thank-you for touching our lives...

Uncle Scotty Roth    3/6/09

Pete and I were so sad to hear of Ronnie's passing - what a wonderful person with a devoted wife and beautiful family. I feel so fortunate to have known him since becoming a bum through marriage.

Joanne and Jenny - please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and we hold you tight in our hearts.

"The streets are too crowded with angels tonight"

All our love,

Pete and Karen    3/6/09

My family's prayers and thoughts are with the Lancaster family and all who
are grieving today- A song for Ronnie and all our lost friends

http://tinyurl.com/cq3xru

Anonymous    3/6/09

Note to whomever sent in the above: the link doesn't work - please send in a corrected one!

My heart felt condolences to the Lancaster family. I am so deeply saddened to hear about Ronnie.

Danny    3/5/09

I would like to invite all of my Bum friends to come out and see my band VOR, at The Zebra Club 1195 Montauk Hwy. Copiague. on Saturday March 21st. at 9:00. We will be doing a 1 hour show. Look for more dates this spring and summer on our MySpace. www.myspace.com/vor2008 I look forward to seeing some old friends.

Danny    3/1/09

Hi,

I don't mean to intrude especially since I did 7 years as a guard across the inlet at Point Lookout. I left the point as a LT. in 1968. My purpose for writing is that I'm trying to locate a girl that was a friend of mine and my family's back in Late 50's. Her name was Gail Clayton and she was from Wantagh. I understand she married a guard from Jones Beach thereafter fled to Florida. Anybody know anything about this girl?

You'ns did a great job on this Jones Beach Bums site. You are to be commended.

Nostalgically,

Tom (Ozzie) Oswald    2/11/09
California
pmte2810@aol.com
hometown - Westbury