Remembering Shore Dreams For Kids Apache Captain John DeRay
The owner of a vintage Apache V-bottom dubbed Afton Express/Tweet’s Revenge and often seen full of passengers during the Shore Dreams for Kids event in Seaside Heights, N.J., longtime performance-boat enthusiast John “Tweet” DeRay died in Kearney, N.J. DeRay was 81 years old and “passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” according to his obituary.
John DeRay and his 41 Apache were fixtures in the Shore Dreams for Kids event and the entire Garden State performance boating scene. Photos by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.
For more than 50 years, DeRay owned and operated a successful auto body business in Afton, N.J., and lived in nearby Toms River. But outside of his family, business and go-fast boating hobby, providing rides for mentally and physically challenged children at the annual Shore Dreams event in June, which was discontinued after 2018, was his passion.
“It was one of his favorite things to do,” said John DeRay, Jr., his 47-year-old son. “And it is one of my earlier memories of him while I was growing up.”
Former New Jersey Performance Powerboat club president and Shore Dreams for Kids stalwart Dave Patnaude recalled the senior DeRay as a generous man and easygoing “fixture” of the Shore Dreams happening and the Jersey Shore boating scene.
“John was a great, low-key with guy with a big heart,” said Patnaude. “And he loved driving his 41 Apache.”
Longtime Toms River resident Joe Nasso, a former Shore Dreams president and board member, also remembered DeRay for big for his volunteer spirit and large presence on the water in his 41-footer.
Said Sharkey, ““John was always there for the kids to give rides in his Apache.”
“You could never miss ‘Tweet’ on the water in that 41’ Apache,” said Nasso. “Before it changed hands, one of my favorite restaurants in town was Giovanni’s. It had this big picture of his Apache in one of the hallways. The boat hadn’t been on the water for a couple of years, but it was always great to see that picture.”
Added well-known, New Jersey based photographer Tim Sharkey, who captured many of the Shore Dreams for Kids events during the years, “John was always there for the kids to give rides in his Apache. He will be missed by many.”
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