George Lightbody, Sr.:
CLASS OF 1970
Toms River High SchoolClass of 1970
Toms river, NJ
George's Story
Since leaving school, at the ripe age of 16, I have had somewhat of a rough way of going. I hit the working world at 17 and thought, "Hey this is easy!" Well, it was soon learned that it was not.
I was married at the good old young age of 18. The problem with this move was, I didn`t have to get married. I just made a hasty decision and all for the wrong ones.
At this point I decided I was going to be a some what advocate for education. Another words, preach to the kids that had thoughts of quiting school, "Stay there and get that education, it is not smarter or any easier out here without that diploma!" To this day I still believe in this and yes, still preach it.
While married to my first wife, I was blessed with two children, one daughter, Ann Marie, and one son, George Jr. Since they have grown and married they have blessed me with three grandchildren, one grand-daughter, Hailey, and one grandson, Dylan, from my son. Another grand-daughter, Brooke, from my daughter.
As the years went on, and many jobs, I finally decided to get my GED at the age of 32. This piece of paper started to open more doors, but, not as many or open them as wide as a, High School Diploma, would have.
Finally at around 35, I decided to go into business for myself. Something I knew like the back of my hand, construction and home repairs. Great years, in fact 10 great years, until housing started that roller coaster ride, then I knew that I had to make the move to close it down before I lost what I worked so hard for.
I moved on to jobs like, working in a family owned hardware store, by the way a great family to work for. They treated me like family. And, worked for the Juvenile Justice Commision out of Jamesburg as a Blotter Officer and then made a self promotion move to Avenel, N.J. to work for the N.J. Dept. of Corrections as a Maitenance Shop Supervisor. Both positions were cilvilian staff positions, till the year 2001.
Over the years I have been a member of the T.R. Jaycees, as an Executive V.P of Exterior Projects, an auxiliary police officer for Beachwood P.D., as an officer and eventually as a Sgt., volunteer fireman for many a fire companies, T.R. Fire Co. #1, as a firefighter, Pinewood Estates Fire Brigade, as a firefighter and a 2nd Lt., for a mobile home park and surrounding area in Barnegat, N.J. This was a fire company founded by my father. Since, it has been taken over by Barnegat Fire Company. East Dover Fire Co. #4, as a firefighter, in T.R. Breton Woods Fire Co.as a firefighter and a Trustee, in Brick Township, N.J. I would not change that part of my life for nothing. I have seen great losses, life and property, while in those positions and felt I made a great contribution to those communities.
In, August, 2001, I made a decision, with the help of a friend on the internet, to take a job in Las Vegas,Nevada area as, a carpenter, for almost two and a half times the hourly pay that I had been making. Plus at the same time, do something I always wanted to do, leave N.J.
The decision was made and I was on my way to Nevada when, I received a call on the way to dive...Expand for more
rt to San Fernando California, an area of L.A.
While her in Ca. I met and married my wife, Judy. we have been together for twelve years and married for seven of those years.
Soon after being here the construction job I had come for ended. I immediately kicked into gear and started my own home repair company and been in it since.
New home, new vehicles and even a couple of new Harleys entered my life. The Harleys, however, were sold off after a few years to make room for the real flesh horses. Yup, a once a dream form my younger days came true finally. At one time we owned three horses, two for trail riding and one for shows. Eventually, we have dropped out of the horse shows and now just do trail riding. When we tell people we own horses they come back at you saying, they are expensive to keep. No, not as expensive as you may think, is what we tell and explain to them.
As time moved on here and watching our area we live in, we decided to give back. Judy and I decided, after attending one of the events that our area Neighborhood Council was hosting, that we may have something to add to their show.
We were right! We as a couple would construct a portable western jail, bring to their show and do an Arrest and Warrants program for donations. Also, add a western re-enactment team at the same time. Hence, our Charityville Jail Western Re-enactment and Living History Team was born! The idea was greatly accepted by the Equine Committee and put into service in the 2011 season along with a bank robbery shoot-out re-enactment.
The first show raised a little shy of $300.00. All the donation funds were turned over to the Chatsworth Historical Society.
That same year we were asked to appear at a church with just the jail and do the Arrest and Warrant program there. Judy and I obliged and raised about another $300.00. While at the church venue, we were approached by the president of the Chatsworth Historical Society, and asked if we would appear at their venue and do the same program! Again, Judy and I obliged. A little over $300.00 was raised for them.
Since our first year out, we have grown. In 2012, we started with the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council`s Day of The Horse Event and added ten more events. Yes, including a wedding and a halloween party. Plus, added a few more characters to the team.
This year, 2013, we have grown with more events. We have on our schedule this year, fifteen events, some are re turn events and added a few new ones. We also have four pending. Some the events are calling for re-enactments. Yeah, take a bunch of men in their 50`s, 60`s and 70`s, give them the old west guns and blanks, they turn back into 10-12 year olds again!
Every donation collected from the Arrest and Warrant Program from the jail, goes to the charity we are working for. We take nothing, not even administration fees. They get it all!
We also added characters, props and more ideas to our team. We are proud of what we do! But, we still need more people to help do it.
So, I guess I found a niche` in life, volunteer and make money for great causes!
You just got to love it!!!!
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