Beaches Museum held its 10th annual Beach Legends Gala on Friday, Sept. 15, at TPC Sawgrass, where museum supporters came to honor three extraordinary individuals. Recognizing that tomorrow’s history is being made today, the packed house gathered to show their appreciation for the community contributions of longtime Beaches residents Clare Berry, Joe Mitrick and George Paugh.
Berry was raised in Jacksonville, moving to Jacksonville Beach with her husband Vance after he graduated from law school. She enjoyed a media career before becoming a Realtor decades ago in Ponte Vedra Beach. Her life’s work has seemingly been to make people feel welcome in the community.
From being one of the area’s top Realtors to her decades of service to THE PLAYERS Championship, Berry helps everyone, from newly arrived homeowners to internationally known golfers, feel right at home.
She gives her time, talent and treasure to many organizations, including BEAM, Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach, Audubon and Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
Joe Mitrick has spent his career focused on the health of the community. He and his wife, Laura, moved to Northeast Florida when he was recruited by Baptist Health. He has made his most notable mark on the area as the CEO of Baptist Medical Center-Beaches, formerly known as Beaches Hospital, for the last 20 years.
Mitrick recently retired from Baptist after a 40-plus year career in health care. He led tremendous expansion of the Medical Center at the Beaches, including both the physical plant and the onsite services.
Over the years, he has been active in the Jacksonville Chamber – Beaches Division, Mission House, the Exchange Club and others.
Coach George Paugh is a true waterman. Countless children across the beaches communities learned how to swim from him at the Beaches Aquatic Club, with hundreds more learning to be junior lifeguards under his leadership and commitment to the Volunteer Lifesaving Corps since 1964.
During his tenure at Fletcher High School, Paugh was an integral part of the swimming and wrestling programs at the school. His students appreciate him to this day for the life lessons he imparted. He grew up in Jacksonville, graduating from Englewood High School and Florida State University. Paugh and his wife, Carolyn, have loved being involved beaches residents for years.
Co-chairs Leslee Burch and Heather McConville led a tireless team of volunteers to ensure that the evening was memorable and fun.
“Honoring these history-makers is right in line with our mission, and we are proud of the success of this event,” Burch said. In 2024, the 11th annual Beaches Museum Beach Legends Gala will honor other notable community servants who will join the 45 past Legends.
