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
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