Dewey Mayor TJ Redefer welcomed home

Hundreds of mourners lined Route 1 in Dewey April 11 to welcome home Dewey Beach Mayor TJ Redefer one final time.

The funeral procession, led by Dewey Beach police, proceeded south through town with a stop at The Starboard, where employees delivered orange crushes to family in the motorcade.

TJ’s wife, Bobbie Redefer, stepped outside a black SUV transporting immediate family, making sure all family members received an orange crush.

“So many people,” she sobbed, as Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery and Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, rushed to support her.

Son Jack Redefer proclaimed, “He loved this town,” before stepping back into the SUV. 

The motorcade paused another moment, as two small planes coming from the south separated and then looped over the town to create a heart with their smoke trails.

Then, the procession continued south through the end of town before turning to head north on the same route TJ took nearly every morning to check on his town. 

Following the procession, an ATV cruised slowly along the shoulder while mourners placed roses and carnations in its bed to be delivered to TJ’s gravesite at the conclusion of the private family service and burial.

A memorial mass and celebration of TJ’s life will be announced at a later date.