North Wildwood, New Jersey – “All the people in North Wildwood now can tell you the same story,” Joseph Duncan said. “They’re walking on the beach and seeing people they’ve known for 30 years, 40 years, or in my case, 50 years and their grandchildren are now eating my ice cream.”
Duncan, originally from southwest Philadelphia, fell in love with North Wildwood as a teenager. A US Marine Corps veteran decides to move permanently to the town of Jersey Shore where he will meet his wife and become a “fudgey and woody” man.
“When I first heard about this job, I was told that if you live here and are a veteran, you are eligible to apply for one of these licenses,” he said. “And that got me excited because I’ve always thought it was a great job.”
It wasn’t just great because of the ice cream. Over the years, Duncan, better known as an “unk dunk,” has found something more valuable than beach dollars.
“I have found a great deal of happiness to be here and meet and talk to people,” he said.
It was a perfect summer party for the now retired school teacher. In fact, even a recent heart attack wouldn’t stop him from completing his fiftieth and final year of selling ice cream on the beach.
“We’re all so glad the city allowed us to be here,” Duncan said. We hope that they will continue to let veterans in and replace us.”
Beachgoers between 17th and 20th Streets in North Wildwood were also happy to see Unk Dunk pushing an ice cream cart today.
“When I hear that sound, it really brings back all the memories from when I was a kid,” said Mary Ellen Shaw, who’s been coming to the beach since the early ’70s.
Others hope North Wildwood will continue this tradition after a few veterans retire.
“I really appreciate the vets doing this. I hope they keep doing that,” said Mike Cody, a local resident. “North Wildwood deserves them and they deserve North Wildwood.”
Joseph Duncan will officially hang his “Unk Dunk” shirt this coming Labor Day. He is looking forward to moving to Florida with his wife so they can be closer to his two sons.
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