Tommy “TC” Coveleski plaque unveiled on RBP lifeguard shack

The casual ceremony on the Rehoboth Boardwalk Aug. 8 to unveil the plaque on the lifeguard shack of Tommy “TC” Coveleski went off right on time at 5:30 p.m., a full half hour late. There were family and friends gathered together, guards from different eras and their families, while tourists passed through the ceremony and scores of junior guards gathered on the beach for an Olympics competition, a concept started by Tommy years earlier. 

“Last summer we had a replica of the plaque on an easel in the side yard of the family homestead,” Johnny Coveleski told the gathering. “We had a celebration of Tommy’s life while he was still here. We had 20 states represented, that’s how highly people thought of him. A few days later we couldn’t find the plaque because he had hidden it. Tommy was embarrassed by all the attention.”

Friends all laughed, knowing everyone in attendance - friends of TC - could step to the microphone and give Tommy testimony and there would be universal affirmation, “Yep, that’s him!”   

“Make no mistake, Tommy was the heart and soul of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol,” Johnny said.

The 70-pound plaque with an image and words shows Tommy looking out over the ocean. He looks like his dad Frank. The first sentence reads, “TC grew up a lifeguard for his family and friends with the Atlantic Ocean forever and always reflected in his eyes.” He did that for 36 years.

And when his nieces and nephews ripped the green duct tape and brown paper free, there was TC where he had always been, next to his father, where he will always be.

The best of us left the rest of us. But now we can stop and see him each walk-by the same as it ever was. Perhaps a pat on the head - a new tradition - to thank him for being our friend.