George Moore Laguna Beach resident George Moore...

George Moore

Laguna Beach resident George Moore died June 19. He was 85.

In 1946 Mr. Moore left a landscaping business in Los Angeles and,

with his mother, moved into one of the “cottage cities,” tiny

bungalows near the corner of Coast Highway and Broadway. He bought a

lot on Radcliff Court below the Sunset Inn. To fund building a house,

he launched a beach rental concession that would endure for the next

36 years. Beginning with just two items, beach umbrellas and “surf

riders,” (inflatable wave riders) Mr. Moore deployed his equipment

from a 5-foot by 15-foot crack between the Chevron station and

Bentons Coffee Shop on the old boardwalk near the foot of Broadway.

Mr. Moore provided many teenagers with their first and ultimate

job. He was an inspiration and a teacher.

After dissolving his rental business, Mr. Moore managed the Wells

Fargo parking lot for several years. Spare time was spent

scrupulously maintaining his house and garden -- his neighbors’

gardens as well.

Though handicapped from unsuccessful back surgery in 1990, Mr.

Moore retained his green thumb and, until a few months ago, was

actively trimming hedges for his sister and himself.

He is survived by his sister Ellen Mae Dial; nieces Sally Dial and

Sylvia Rose; and nephew Robert Moore Jr.

A Mass is planned for Saturday at the St. Catherine Siena school

auditorium at Cardinal Drive and South Coast Highway. Interment will

be private. Memorials may be made to the family through McCormick and

Son Mortuary, 1795 Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Ca. 92651.