Patrick Moore

HE IS

Making a living at something he loves to do.

HAVING FUN

As general manager of the Balboa Fun Zone, he spends his days in

the sun meeting new and interesting people.

“I’m just lucky to be around so many people having fun,” he said.

Even though Moore works a considerable amount of hours, it’s

obvious that he really enjoys it.

“I work anywhere from 50 to 75 hours a week, but it beats 40 hours

working in an office,” he said.

He enjoys it so much that he and his wife actually purchased a

condominium next door.

“Sometimes it can be a double-edged sword, but there’s no better

commute,” Moore said.

FAMILY

The rest of his family must agree with him since his wife, parents

and sisters have all worked there at one time or another.

“My father actually works for me here. He is retired and he works

here. It’s kind of nice because I can leave and not have to worry

about anything,” he said.

DIFFICULTIES

While there are many plusses to his job, Moore doesn’t see many

negatives.

“Rain is our biggest problem. The only days we are closed are

Christmas and rainy days. Staffing is also difficult. Have you ever

had 35 16-year-olds work for you?”

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Moore is hard pressed to think of specific days that are better

than others, but he does remember one incident a few years back when

one of the tenants, upon leaving, dumped some biodegradable

green-colored water into the bay confusing everyone.

“It looked like something out of the ‘Ten Commandments’ when Moses

tapped his staff and made the river red, except this was green

water.”

The other event that sticks out in his mind is when he first got

his job. He remembers his father telling him about it, and his

response was “What am I going to do, make change for a living?”

Of course, that was also when he was putting himself through

college by selling suits. Moore said he walked in wearing a

double-breasted suit and got the job. Before he left, the owner told

him never to wear suits again because it made him nervous.

FUTURE PLANS

After 13 years of working at the fun zone, Moore doesn’t picture

himself being anywhere else and plans to stay until he retires.

“It’s such a different attitude here. It’s like Mayberry with a

beach,” he said.

-- Story by Todd Karella;

photo by Crystal Lauderdale