Toms River names street for radio legend Bob Levy

Jean Mikle | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Toms River honors radio host Bob Levy with a street sign Toms River officials and WOBM radio host Bob Levy's family and friends gathered on Robbins Street for the unveiling of a sign for Bob Levy Way.

TOMS RIVER - Marianne Levy said her husband, Bob, was "never wanted to be put on a pedestal."

"But guess what, Bob? You're on a pole today," Levy joked on a breezy, summer morning in downtown Toms River. Radio legend Bob Levy, 86, who passed away in March, was memoralized this week when a portion of Robbins Street was renamed "Bob Levy Way."

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The street is directly across from the Robbins Street offices of Townquare Media, home of WOBM. The fourth floor of the building was christened the Bob Levy Broadcast Center in 2013.

He was with Toms River's WOBM radio when it first went on the air on March 1, 1968. Over the years he served as sports announcer, salesman, sports director and general manager.

Watch Toms River officials talk about Levy's community service and his time as a Lakewood Little League coach in the video above this story.

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For many years, his Sunday program, "Topic A," was must-listen radio for residents of Ocean County and beyond. Everyone from politicians to sports figures to charity advocates was interviewed by Levy on the show, which Levy started in 1979.

Long-time WOBM Sports Director Kevin Williams, who started at the station 39 years ago, said Levy was his mentor.

"Now he becomes a permanent part of Toms River," Williams said.

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com