A New Jersey native has returned to his former job as a lifeguard at the Jersey Shore after 36 years.

Paul DeFazio says that he spent his college summers working as a lifeguard. He say that he considers it to have been one of the best jobs that he ever had.

He says that he enjoyed it so much that he decided to take a week off of work in Florida and return to the shore at a time when many lifeguards have returned back to high school and college. This is his second year doing this.

“It’s a need up and down the Jersey coast,” DeFazio says. “I know all the beaches run short…I'm doing my part. Heck, they don't even have to pay me but I think they have to legally. I love this so much."

Lifeguard Jack Caucino says that he remembers working next to DeFazio on the lifeguard stand in the 1970s.

“Paul has had the sand between his toes his whole life, he always tries to get up here as much as he can,” Caucino says. “He knows we are shorthanded at the end of the year so he takes his vacation and he helps us out at the end.”

Swimming was not allowed in Lavallette Monday due to rough ocean conditions. But DeFazio says that he hopes the weather improves by the weekend so everyone can enjoy the last taste of summer.