Jim Keelen received his class ring from Watchung Regional High School in New Jersey after graduating in 1972. Unfortunately, he lost it on the beach only days later while celebrating with his friends. He was sure he’d never see it again. However, he was reunited with the keepsake 51 years later through a social media post.
21-year-old Anthony DiMaria Sadorski was taking photos at Beaver Dam Creek when he happened upon the lost piece of jewelry. Hoping to connect with its rightful owner, he posted some pictures of the find on Facebook. When the post reached the Watchung Regional High School Class of 72 Facebook page, members knew exactly who to contact.
“UPDATE!!!!!!” wrote Anthony in a follow-up post. “The owner of the ring has been found thanks to the kind people in the Wachung Hills regional HS Facebook group! The ring will be returned to the rightful owner after it being lost in point pleasant beach in 1972!!!”
Now that Jim has his ring back, he says that he plans to have it re-sized so that he can wear it again.
“The ring was in decent shape having been gone for 51 years,” Jim told News 12 New Jersey. “I’m going to wear it. I mean this is unbelievable. I’ll wear it.”
Jim believes that Superstorm Sandy may have been responsible for the ring’s migration several miles inland from where it was lost.
“My thinking is that it washed off the beach further inland into these marshes and creek,” he explained.
The Watchung Regional High School alumnus couldn’t be more grateful to the young photographer who took the time to find out who the ring belonged to.
“It’s just heartwarming to see something like this happen. It’s incredible to me and I can’t thank him enough. I really can’t,” he said.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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