The Asbury Park Historical Society was deeply saddened at the sudden passing of our close friend and colleague, Tom Chesek, who died in his sleep on July 4, 2023, at age 63. A devoted historian of Asbury Park history, Tom served as a Trustee of the Asbury Park Historical Society as well as Board Member of the Asbury Park Museum. He was an
encyclopedia of Asbury Park history, a superb writer and author. Tom’s book, “Legendary Locals of Asbury Park” is an incredible reference of virtually all aspects of Asbury Park history.

As the AP Historical Society Newsletter editor, Tom created the content and design layouts for the Newsletters from 1917 until his passing. He wowed the community with the society’s special edition calendar “In Celebration of Asbury Park’s 150 th Anniversary,” that captured the highlights of the city’s sesquicentennial history and in 2023 the “Soundings from Asbury Park” calendar which chronicled Asbury Park music milestones.”

Tom served as the Historical Society’s Program Chair, creating, implementing and promoting artistic and historical events (original plays, classic film screenings, readings and music presentations) at the Society’s headquarters, the Stephen Crane House. In addition, Tom was an entertainment writer for The Coaster Newspaper, and from 2002 to
2018 had been an arts/feature editor with the Asbury Park Press, Gannett NJ Newspaper. Tom’s passing was a huge loss to us all. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, and all of the lives he touched throughout the community and beyond.