Harry Mogck Obituary

Harry "Buzz" Mogck, Jr.

Oct 7, 1943 - Jun 23, 2024

Harry "Buzz" Mogck, Jr. passed away on June 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1943, Buzz lived his entire life in Cape May, New Jersey. A graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School, Buzz enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. In 1967, Buzz joined the Cape May Beach Patrol and for more than five decades, he served the City of Cape May as a lifeguard, Captain, and ultimately Chief of the CMBP. He was a staunch advocate for beach safety and expected the very best from the lifeguards under his command who are entrusted with the protection of all beach patrons. Under his leadership, the CMBP served as a model for beach patrols around the country and was selected to host six United States Lifesaving Association National Championships. Buzz dedicated over three decades of service to the USLA, serving on the Board of Directors and as a national advisor. When he became Captain in 1981, most lifeguards had only basic knowledge of CPR, but Buzz insisted that all lifeguards be certified in lifesaving and CPR and that all officers be Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). He was instrumental in making surf chairs available to improve beach access for visitors with limited mobility and in initiating the after-hours rescue program. He was also responsible for hiring the City's first female lifeguard, opening the door for countless female lifeguards to follow. Buzz required all lifeguards to not only be rigorously trained in lifesaving techniques, but also to maintain a level of physical fitness needed to do the job and to represent CMBP in lifeguard competitions. Buzz was extremely proud to have led the CMBP to the South Jersey Lifeguard Championship in 1996. Always an adventurer, in 1989, Buzz and a fellow lifeguard completed the "East Coast Challenge" in which they rowed a Van Duyne lifeguard boat from Cape May to Jupiter, Florida to raise money for the United Way Foundation. He loved to travel, and never missed an opportunity to visit someplace new. Buzz especially enjoyed travelling all over Florida and the Florida Keys with his friends and family during the winters. It was the honor of his career to have "Mogck Beach" dedicated in his name by the City of Cape May in 2012 in recognition of his 50 years of service to the CMBP. Buzz is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Margaret Mogck; and sisters, Andrea Curran and Kathleen Catanoso. He is survived by his sons, Steven (Kim) and Eric (Kim); grandchildren, Gavin, Reagan, and Ella; brother, Tom (Carol); niece, nephews and great-nieces and-great nephews, and his amazing legacy with the Cape May Beach Patrol. One of the things Buzz was most proud of was his role in starting the Clete Cannone Scholarship to be awarded annually to present and past CMBP lifeguards and their lineal descendants in memory of the former Captain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Clete Cannone Memorial Scholarship Fund" in memory of Chief Harry "Buzz" Mogck c/o Dennis deSatnick (Custodian of Funds), 1307 Trenton Avenue, Cape May, NJ. Services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com

SPILKER FUNERAL HOME

Cape May, NJ