Al Geary, Longtime Fixture on LBI Leisure Scene, Dies at 65

Al Geary, founder of Shore Bets Distinctive Event Enjoyment, died Aug. 15 at age 65. His talent management agency, primarily based in Abington, Pa., had lengthy furnished the venues of Very long Beach front Island and over and above with era-defining, dance ground-fueling regional musical acts, and previously in his occupation he was liable for bringing planet-popular songs legends to the Island.

Geary grew up in Delaware County, Pa., attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia (Course of 1976) and earned a bachelor’s degree from Scranton College.

His most loved put in the planet, according to his obituary, was Surf Metropolis, where by he met his wife, Patti, and wherever, for quite a few yrs, “he lifeguarded LBI seashores and later shared the wonders of the shore and ocean with his youngsters.”

The Island is also wherever “he commenced his four-decade career in enjoyment and hospitality,” reserving teams this sort of as Drop Lifeless Alluring, Goodman Fiske and Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns.

“As longtime manager of Rick’s American Café in Barnegat Mild, NJ, he brought various national musical acts to the seaside in the ’80s and ’90s that reworked the nightlife scene of the Jersey Shore for several years to come.”

Notably, Bo Diddley, Joan Jett, Edgar Winter and Bruce Springsteen’s saxophonist Clarence Clemons were being between the famous names he brought to Rick’s, now changed by Daymark restaurant.

In anything he upheld a custom of excellence, including his eating places, Abilene in Philadelphia, Pa. – wherever he founded the Philadelphia Music Awards – and Abilene at the General Wayne Inn in Merion, Pa.

He touched thousands and thousands with his really like for audio, his obit points out.

“From there he started Shore Bets Leisure Administration, where he acted as new music agent and mentor to hundreds of musicians who performed beautiful tunes in innumerable establishments throughout the East Coastline. From musicians and restaurateurs all the way to patrons and listeners of each and every ilk, the frequent thread is that Al adjusted life with his friendship, kindness, and empathy. His character was infallible. He loved fiercely.”

To express sympathy, take into account donating to the Alfred P. Geary ’76 scholarship fund at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory College at sjprep.org/guidance-the-prep or by means of mail at 1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19130. The fund will have on Geary’s enthusiasm for training by “supporting financially vulnerable learners of his beloved alma mater, exactly where the two of his sons proudly adopted in his footsteps.”

To share memories of Geary, a web site has been set up at lifecelebration.com.  —V.F.