2025 Summer Celebration Award Recipients
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of The Lusty Lobster Fresh Seafood Market
The Douty Family
The Hon. S. Thomas Gagliano Founder Award
The Lusty Lobster (formerly Douty Bros.) has been family-owned and operated since 1980, founded by two brothers from Fair Haven. Specializing in live Maine lobsters, shellfish, and fresh seafood sourced globally, they provide top-quality products to wholesale and retail customers. Committed to giving back, they actively support local charities, and marine conservation efforts. Their dedication to quality, service, and community defines their legacy. A proud longtime supporter of The Jersey Shore Partnership, The Lusty Lobster serves as the bountiful Summer Celebration Raw Bar Sponsor.
Jack Morey (Posthumous)
Co-owner of Wildwood’s Morey’s Piers
Spirit of the Shore Award
Jack Morey was a visionary leader, creative force, and dedicated community advocate whose influence on the Wildwoods and the amusement industry is enduring. As a second-generation owner of Morey’s Piers, a family-owned entertainment and hospitality business founded in 1969, Jack served as Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. For over five decades, his innovative spirit and leadership were the creative driving force behind the company, embracing the philosophy of “it will be beautiful…we change everything!” Alongside his brother, Will, he propelled Morey’s Piers to international acclaim, with Amusement Today recognizing it as the Best Seaside Park in the World in 2015.
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Beyond the Boardwalk, Jack’s passion for enhancing public spaces led to the development of landmark projects such as the Rio Grande Avenue Gateway, the iconic "Wildwoods" sign, the Wildwood Dog Park and Beach, the Socratic Outdoor Learning Center Of Wildwood (SOLCOW) Park, Starlux Mini Golf, and the Big Little 9 Golf Course. His commitment to preserving the unique character of the Wildwoods was evident in his efforts to maintain the area’s distinctive Doo-Wop architecture.
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Jack’s dedication to community service was reflected in his extensive involvement with various organizations. He served on the board of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. His leadership also extended to roles with the Greater Wildwoods Chamber of Commerce, the Boardwalk Special Improvement District, the Doo Wop Preservation League, and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. Within the amusement industry, Jack chaired the Hall of Fame Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), helping to preserve the industry’s history and honor its pioneers.​
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Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of five, Jack was a passionate advocate for young diabetics. He actively supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), striving to help children realize their potential beyond their diagnosis.
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Jack graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Construction and resided in Wildwood Crest, NJ, with his wife, Karen. He was a devoted father to his sons, Zachary and Jordan, father-in-law to Morgan and Alyssa, and a proud grandfather to Jack, Miller, and Nora.
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In recognition of his enduring legacy, several honors were established posthumously. In October 2024, the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce created the Jack Morey Leadership and Visionary Award, with North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello as its inaugural recipient. The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce honored Curtis Bashaw of Cape Resorts with the Jack Morey Visionary Award. On what would have been Jack's 64th birthday, the City of Wildwood rededicated SOLCOW Park – a space he had redesigned and relaunched in 2020 – in his honor.
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Jack Morey’s legacy of creativity, generosity, and passion continues to inspire the Wildwoods community and the broader amusement industry, embodying a spirit of innovation and dedication that will be cherished for generations to come.
Comcast
Business & Industry Award
Comcast creates incredible technology and entertainment that connects millions of people to the moments that matter most. Comcast’s Freedom Region proudly serves hundreds of communities across Greater Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Northern Delaware with world-class broadband, wireless, and video services through Xfinity and Comcast Business.They are passionate champions of the Jersey Shore, driving impact through philanthropic initiatives such as grants, digital equity programs, and local partnerships.
The Two River Times
Community Impact Award
Since September of 2024, when it was donated to the community, The Two River Times has become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization to provide a community-first approach to journalism. Originally founded in September
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1990, the publication is dedicated to educating, advancing, and informing public knowledge and enhancing community engagement as a full broadsheet, weekly newspaper, covering towns on or near the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers in Monmouth County, NJ. Published on Thursdays, The Two River Times features current events, art, culture, the environment, and lifestyles, and looks to build collaboration and conversation among all voices in the area.